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LGB/G Scale Siding Wiring

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  • Member since
    June 2018
  • 5 posts
LGB/G Scale Siding Wiring
Posted by OGaugeRailroader on Thursday, June 21, 2018 11:13 AM

I want to create an out-of-sight storage siding wired as follows:

1) I want to be able to turn power on and off to the siding as a separate block - Do I just use plastic joiners in one rail and put a toggle switch between the power and rail?

2) Since the siding is out-of-view, I'd like to have an "indicator light" that comes on when the train approaches the end of the siding -What is the best way to "activate" this light on the control panel?

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Thursday, June 21, 2018 8:08 PM

DCC or DC?

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Posted by OGaugeRailroader on Thursday, June 21, 2018 10:08 PM

DC - Most of my experience is with 3-rail, so I'm trying to learn how to detect a train's presence. Any ideas? Thanks.

  • Member since
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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Friday, June 22, 2018 3:21 AM

You could use a pressure switch under the rails so weight of train activates the light. Maybe 50% reliable, requires constant maintenance. You could use an IR emitter and receiver. You'll have to ask the electronics guys how to do that. Maybe you don't need the light. It appears to me that your intent is to stop the train at a specified spot. If that is the case, reduce the length of isolated rail to the length needed to stop the engine. Train will stop at the desired point automatically. Hit the power switch to have the train start movement again.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Friday, June 22, 2018 11:42 AM

Besides wanting to know DC or DCC, is this a dead end spur or a real siding that re-joins the main line?

If you did it with a single loco at the head end and you are using DC, a single gap and a diode would make an automatic "stopper" that would kill the loco at a certain point, but allow you to reverse out.

Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
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Posted by OGaugeRailroader on Friday, June 22, 2018 9:48 PM

That's actually a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing.

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