I can't believe it's so long since I posted on here. Humble apologies.....
The only thing of any consequence that has happened since Railex (apart from this dreadful virus and all that came with it) is I have now managed to motorise the gate into the explosives siding using a MERG kit from their Pocket Money Projects range. (Oh yes, the real allotment has been tended like never before during our confinement)
I'd thought about a hand cranked system involving wheels, gears and very manual handle, which would have been quaint, but because I had not been able to devise what I really wanted a chance encounter with a MERG Pocket Money kit started me off on a different route. Through the good offices of a friend I bought a couple of these and found the kit relatively simple to put together - alright, I need to improve my electronics soldering technique but I do have a result. This little board allows control of a servo throughout 180 degrees and also has two controllable end stops. At around £1.50 the cost of the kit is negligible but it does do exactly what I want it to do. If MERG offered taster kits like the 2mm Scale Association sells wagon starter kits, this would attract many more new members to their ranks; as it is I don't think they do.
This picture below shows the components on the board, electronics students will immediately identify the bits but in simple terms some of them are; a voltage regulator, three potentiometers, a few resistors, a PIC controller and some other bits. You will gather this is not a strong subject of mine!
On the left an AA battery pack loaded with 8 x 1.5volt batteries; for test purposes a 9 volt PP3 type would be just as good but not last for very long. In use I notice that even a stack of 8 x 1.5 AAs doesn't last too long either but if a separate switch is included, once the unit has done its bit it can be switched off until needed next time with no drain on the batteries.
Below is the servo mounted very simply on a piece of shaped plywood. It has a 64DP gear force fitted over the shaft that normally has the operating arm attached to it and this meshes with the gear wheel that can be seen. The relatively large diameter piece of brass has a grub screw which enable attachment/detachment from the hidden part of the gatepost seen just protruding. It seems to be adequate and the grub screw does allow some more adjustment.
Now if I've done this correctly it should be possible to see the gate operating here. I wasn't sure how to mute the sound so you get warts and all!
Mick S.