Back when my dad and I built my first Lionel layout in the 1950's that was an exciting time for me. To watch those O scale F units pulling those aluminum coaches was a site to behold, to me they were massive and looked so real. I had hours of fun just watching them head down the tracks.
Then one day my dad walked it with a package after work and said, "Let's go to the train room". He handed me the pckage and I carefully opened it up and found four sets of signals. He showed me how to clip them on to the track and bingo they lit up as the trains ran. What a difference, they looked so cool, what else could you say.
When I switched to HO I began to think of a way to develope a signal system. Now I know there are all types of systems but to be honest I really didn't want to do all of that wiring and so forth. So, what could I do. Well, about twenty-five years ago I came up with an idea and have done it ever since.
For me the signals are an added deminsion that create another level of railroading. As I said the systems were complicated and I just want the impression of signals so why not just solder the two wires from the signals directly to the tracks.
and I could use the signals to designate power to the tracks at different sections, not neccessarily to control trains.
So each of my signals are soldered to a section of track and that signal lets me know of I have power to that block. If the signal fails then I know I have no power and I know where to go and fix it. Most of the time a wire may come loose or disconnects from the track.
I't actually a very simple system, no signal light, no power. Now many of the signals have a manual switch, so to add to the fun and I can throw the switch and pretend to control trains.
Here for example is a red signal letting the engineer know to stop.
Here is the same signal with the switch thrown to green allowing the train to proceed.
So I do have a somewhat working signal system, all be it manual, but that adds to the working model making it interesting.
For me it adds to the operation. It may not be prototypical and very rudimentary but it is just another way to make running trains interesting.
It adds to the fun of Model Railroading and running trains.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester
Newberry-Columbia, SC.
Looks great Robert. What few signals I have, I control the aspects with rotary switches, all manual like yours.
My layout is not big enough or complex enough to require an automated system.
Mike.
My You Tube
RR_MelI’m in the process of installing simple Arduino IR detector modules for detection.
They look too big, to simply drill a hole between the ties. Where/how are you installing these?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy RR_Mel I’m in the process of installing simple Arduino IR detector modules for detection. They look too big, to simply drill a hole between the ties. Where/how are you installing these?
RR_Mel I’m in the process of installing simple Arduino IR detector modules for detection.
In my case inorder to use the swtch to change the colors I drill a hole on either side of the track, apply the switch at the edge of the layout with double sided tape then run each wire up through the hole and solder the wire to the tracks. Where I don't have a switch I simply cut the wire just the right distance to one side of the track and then snake the longer piece between the ties and solder it to the other side of the track, really basic; the ballast covers the wire.
My signals are by Model Power with light bulbs, require no resistors, and they are HO scale. I had some LED signals but to much trouble soldering the resistors underneath the table, again I keep it very simple.
Newberry-Columbia, SC