Some "issues" with MTH Pennsy Signal Bridge

[FJ and G]

Dear friends:

A favor to ask you for one of my closest train buddies whose hi-rail layout is in the latter stages of completion. I'm going to visit it next month but he wants everything in working order first. Here's his problem. Any solutions appreciated or you may need further clarifications possibly. I quote:

"Having some issues trying to get my MTH Pennsy Signal Bridge to work properly with the motion sensors.

"The lights do not indicate a train's presence in the block in the way the instructions say it should work, and the IR sensors also are hard to adjust. Plus, the directions for wiring do not indicate what power source to use, so I'm guessing at 10v. I haven't spent too much time troubleshooting it with so many other projects, but it would be nice to get it operating properly, because it looks great on the layout."

[Anonymous]

Hi David,
I had some problems initially when using MTH's Scaletrax IR sensor with my Pennsy signal bridge. I agree, adjusting the sensitivity was frustrating and didn't seem to work properly. I checked and double checked all my connections, but ultimately had to return the IR detector to MTH for repair. The repair ticket indicated that something internally had come out of alignment. MTH repaired the problem. Unfortunately, I also experienced problems with my signal bridge shortly after installation. On one side of the bridge the yellow caution aspects (diagonal) would not light...the lights would change from block occupied (horizontal) directly to block clear (vertical). I substituted the plug-in lamps from other positions to eliminate the possibility of burnt bulbs or a faulty connector. Having eliminated all the easy possible causes of the problem the bridge had to go back to MTH for repair also. When I got everything back from MTH instead of the Scaletrax IR detector I used Z-stuff for Trains block signal detectors (DZ-1011) and their SPDT relay modules (DZ-1008). These items have worked great with the signal bridge! Their relay module requires 14-16 volts to operate properly so you may have to crank up the power supply a little. You'll here the relay "click" on-off when the power supply is sufficient. I found a wiring diagram on the Z-Stuff web site to connect everything together and as I said, everything has been working great. I really like the Z-Stuff products, plus they add more light action to the layout. Best of luck.

Trainhead

[FJ and G]

Thanks! I'll pass this along.

The wonder of electronics.

[lionelsoni]

Two words: track circuits.

[FJ and G]

Bob,

Do you mean look at the circuits in the accessory (track them).

Or do you mean check the circuitry of the track?

[lionelsoni]

I mean that I would operate signals by circuits between the outside rails. It's simpler, more reliable, and prototypical as all get out.

[FJ and G]

Thanks. Control rails are tried and true way of doing things, and as you mention, real railroads do it as well.

[EMDSD40]

I currently operate 2 PRR bridges with 4 heads each, 11 PRR block signals, and 1 Lionel 450 signal bridge [for nostalgia purposes]. I run 4 Lionel IR track detectors. Iuse a Lionel 180 watt acc adjustable power supply adjusted to 13.75 VDC. Ihave it broken into 4 circuits on my layout. Iused CAT 5 network cable and terminal strips to wire the whole thing together. Ihave approx 350 ft of gargaves track and 20 pnuematic turnouts so the position of the signal on the layout makes it realistic as possible. Iwas told the key to the whole thing is to use Lionel IR detectors[rated at 10 amps], not MTH detectors. I installed the system last winter and it works fine. Hope this helps you out!!