I just moved in to my new house and will be building a 23' by 14' Layout in my room. I have only built 2 other layouts before but neither had signals. I am not too experienced with more advanced wiring for am only 14. What are some good sytems I could use. I do know that there are current detecting systems and one that uses sensors. Please help me out, I plan to have about 10-15 signals on my layout.
Are you going to use DCC or DC?
If you are going to use DCC, what brand are you going to use? They may have signaling system with the DCC you plan on using.
How do you plan on using your signals?
Craig
To give you some more detail I will be using the MRC Prodigy Advance (and buy the wirless throttle once it comes out). Last time I checked they don't have a signal system. I will have 2 crossovers, one at each end of my yard which will be protected by 2 signals on each end and a signal at the end of my drill tack along with 2 other signals for my inbound & outbound tracks. I also plan to divide my layout into 2 blocks. One block for my yard, which is why I will have my two crossovers, and the other block for industries or whatever I put in there. So please help me decide a good signal system to use. I have seen so many systems, but I just can't decide which one I should use.
Doesn't sound like you need a "system" since you aren't making a signal system, you are just putting signals at various places.
How are you planning on 'controlling' these signals? Dispatcher?
You could just hook up the signals to switches with a contact switch connected to the turnout, so when the signal is normal the signals are green for the route, when the switch is thrown it shows yellow for the route lined and red against the switch.
You certainly don't need anything as complicated as what is in the MR article. If you used that system with so few blocks, your own train would give itself a less than clear indication (your trains would never get a "green" signal).
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Gate 5
To kind of tag along with this topic. I've been looking to get my signals operating automatically. Right now I use rotary toggle switches to change them (Red, Amber, Green).
I use a Digitrax Zephyr for DCC control. I have three signal blocks on my double track mainline. Some signals have two heads for blocks and switches. And one section is only signaled for a switch (not a block). I use searchlights signals, and one "block" has three light signals. I don't have real wired blocks per se, but my signals are located in simulated blocks.
I suppose to control my trains I would have to isolate my track sections into blocks that correlate with the signals. However I really just want the signals to change not the train. While I simulate ATS (Automatic Train Stop) on one section of my layout, it's not necessary for my trains to stop automatically when they reach a red board. But whatever is easier I'm up to.
Another thing that has been bothering me are the switch indicators. My switches use Atlas machines...I know I know they are ugly, but when the layout was built (1973) there were no tortoises. So I'm going to stick with what works for now. But I'm not sure these motors can change a signal. I use Acme push button controls (the ones with the big red and green bulbs) to open/close the switches.
I like to do night running. This will definitely effect sensors if I use this method. Track current detection might be my best bet.
So any advice? Systems to use? Is it worth it, or should I stick with the rotary controls?
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
You might want to do some research on signals.
There are several types of REAL signal systems (ABS/APB and CTC, plus manual interlockings plus automatic interlockings and several others). The placement and operation of the signals varies between them.
The key is who is going to control them. It can be a dispatcher/control operator (CTC or manual interlocking) or they can be automatic based on track occupancy and switch position (ABS/APB).
On a real signal system there are about 3-4 signals between each train (a red immediately behind the train, a yellow behind that, a flashing yellow behind that and a green in front of the next train.) To do ABS right where you can have two trains run around a loop and keep a green signal in front of them you will need about 5 or 6 blocks each one or two train lengths long.
I really like Tomar signals. They tend to be pricy, but are extremely well built, nicely scaled, and very easy to install. They're not kits, so you don't have to build anything. You don't even have to paint anything. Essentially you drill a whole in you layout board, drop the signal in place, glue the signal down, and hook up the wires.
A great switch indication signal is the Tomar 2 headed searchlight, Tomar H-859. That's what I use. If wired correctly, you get three colors out of each LED.
If searchlight signals are not appropriate for you railroad, a double head three light signal is also a nice choice. I like Tomar H-866. Or if you like the modern trend of hooded signals (like the new signals on BNSF) try the Tomar H-8661.
An important thing to remember about Tomar, or really any other quality signal, is that you will likely need resistors to limit the current going to the LED's or bulbs. And depending on the color, you'll likely want to use varying sizes to help balance the color output. Red tends to be brighter, and green is dim. Using a larger resistor on red and less on green helps balance the colors. Amber is somewhere in between.
The interesting thing about Tomar searchlight signals is that by applying power to both red and green at the same time will give you amber. So you will want to ensure your wiring plan is set up for this. Of course if you are just using the signals for turnout indication...you likely won't even need amber.
I can go into more detail on how to hook up these signals very easily if you need it. But I'm actually looking to change my setup so the signals are automatic.