I have a question about the compatibility between Kato N turnouts and the Atlas signal system. I'm transitioning my layout to Kato's Unitrack and would like to use the Atlas signal system with it. I plan on using the double track set with 2 double crossovers and various turnouts to go to industries and a yard. I plan on setting the signal system up so that it will detect the blocks behind the signal and also indicate whether the switch (or switches) within the block is opened or closed. For example, NS on their Louisville-St. Louis line has their APB signal system set up so that if a switch (turnout) is lined for a side track, the signals guarding that block will go to red so that a train will not come flying through at 50 MPH and not see the red display on the switch indicator until he's about 500 feet from it (basically what happened at Graniteville). I want my signal system wired the same way. I want the signals governing a block to go to red if any of the turnouts in that block are lined for a diverging route. I originally came up with an idea where I would use the blue Kato DC turnouts switches, cut one of the wires going to it and attach it to a switch, and place another switch wired to a resistor circuit next to it and drill a hole through the nob on both ones and push a copper wire through it so that when the switch is turned on so the Kato turnout switch can be switched, a resistor circuit will also go on and tell the detector in that block to drop the signals to red. This is a somewhat crude way of accomplishing this; that's why I'm looking for a better solution. I have Digitrax DCC, and I didn't exactly see anything on their website that could accomplish this. I went to Custom Signals and looked at the TSC-2, but I don't think that would accomplish what I'm wanting to do. Is it possible to accomplish this? Anyone have any thoughts? (Also... I don't want to add a computer to this system, and I don't want a CTC setup).
Check out Team Digital or CML. They both have signal controllers that work through Loconet and do not need a computer - the controllers can be programmed to set signal indications based on various inputs right in the controller instead of requiring an external computer. You'll still need some way to monitor the switch position, like a microswitch, and connect that to an input board so that it generates a Loconet message depending on the switch position. This isn't really any more expensive than the Atlas system and far more versatile.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I took a look at those two groups, and their setup seems a little too complicated for what I'm trying to do. In addition, I already own some Atlas signal components, and I'd like to stay with them due to the fact that I can understand how they're set up compared to other systems. I didn't have this issue with the old track I used (atlas 55) because I planned on using Caboose Industries ground throws, which had the three built in metal rods that extended down where you could solder on wires that could be used to create a resistor circuit, which the detector would pick up. If you threw it one way, it would complete the circuit and cause the detector to detect the circuit and report to the proper signal board. I'm thinking about sticking with Kato on 90% of my track and possibly using Peco's turnouts so I can use the Caboose Industries ground throws to set this up the way I want.