I like to run two trains at the same time on a double main line but the "hitch" is when they meet at the crossover. How can I get one of the trains to stop and wait until the other passes, and then have it continue on its way? Please refrain from a DCC suggestions. Surely there must be an electronic way (that's not too complicatied) that will let the trains do what I want them to do. I'm a novice at this so please make any recommendations as simple as possible. Thanks so much.
DCC would definitely be the easiest way.
Your alternative is to wire the layout into "blocks" that can be switched, and adding another "cab control", or transformer. Then you can control each loco independantly by switching the block control switches.
There are some good books with instructions and diagrams on how to wire dual cabs for block control.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Do you mean crossing or "diamond"?
You would need some kind of train detection that cuts power to an isolated section of the other line. This can be as simple as magnets and reed switches to as complex as photoelectric detectors and computer control.
Perhaps current detection fed into an op-amp which runs a relay feeding the other line. Do this for each line. Sorry no drafing software here can't draw a diagram. There are some on the web though.
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
FCABARLE wrote:is when they meet at the crossover. .
Anyway here is a thread that addressed the "crossing" issue. There are multiple solutions, most of them are the same regardless of whether one is using DC or DCC.
http://cs.trains.com/forums/1411997/ShowPost.aspx
Or is it a single crossover from one main line to the other main line ?
It could be as simple as using the extra contacts on the switch machine, if so equiped.
From what you describe, it sounds like you have a twice around loop which is actually a single track main that looks like a double track loop except at the point where the tracks cross from one loop to the other and you have this crossing at grade. In any case, if you want stop one loco while the other keeps running and you don't want DCC, then block control is the way to go. Based on what you describe, you can probably get away with just two blocks. You can assign both blocks to one throttle but you need to be able to cut the power to either block to stop the train until the other train clears the crossing.
This is not too difficult to do. I would suggest you get Atlas book on layout wiring. It gives a simple explaination of how to do this basic wiring and also the Atlas components you will need. You could save a little bit of money by buying toggle switches at the hardware store and wiring them yourself but since you have such a small layout, the savings will be minimal. And since you want simple, Atlas is as simple as it gets for basic block wiring.