signalling systems???

[jacob t. b.]

 Is there a certain system that runs the best.

P.S.- I am only twelve so keep it below at least $300. 

[cacole]

What do you mean when you say 'signalling system?'  Road crossing signals, block signals, or semaphone signals.

There are a couple of road crossing signal systems that can be had for less than $300, but a full blown block signal or semphore system will undoubtedly cost more than that, depending on the size of your layout and the number of signals involved.

Here's a web site that will give you a very good indication of the costs involved in the different types of signals.

http://www.tomarindustries.com/signals.htm 

But remember, these prices are only for the actual signal itself and none of the required controlling electronics, detection systems, etc. that must also be used with them.

Also, unless you have a sizeable tool collection and electronics/wiring experience, installing a signal system is not for the inexperienced.

Each of the Tomar grade crossing signals with 4 LEDs has 5 very small gauge wires coming out the bottom which must be connected to a controller of some type to make them flash.  The controller requires a power supply separate from the one you're using to run your layout.  Detectors have to be placed at strategic locations on both sides of the road crossing to activate the signals and then turn them off after the train clears the crossing.  If you want crossing gates they are separate and require a Tortoise slow motion switch machine.  Equipping just one road crossing can run $200-$250 depending on which signals, controllers, power supply, and detectors you choose.

[retsignalmtr]

Atlas has a nice signal system. A detection module, signal control module, switch module and signal will cost almost $100 per signal location. I'll give you an example of my signal system that I am building in N scale.  Atlas G Type signal $25, Dallee current detector $30, relays and sockets (two per signal) $20. Add in the cost of the wire, resistors and 12 volt and 5 volt power supplies and you're close to  $80-$100 per signal.

Check out this site www.customsignals.com

A prototype signal, installed by a railroads signal maintenance gang, would cost between $25,000 and $50,000 per.

There are alternatives. You can get small LED's and build your own signals. There are plans out there for detectors you can build so you may be able to do it for much less.

[rrinker]

 Allow me to offer a bit of advice - it's great that you are really enthusiastic about the hobby - we can always use more people. However, you might want to sit back and take it slow, particularly since you have many years ahead of you to expand and add to your knowledge, and build better and better railroads. I've been playing with trains since I was about 2, I used to have a home movie (on movie film, no video tape back then, I'm old!) as proof. At your age, I was just starting the third layout I ever built by myself, part of my few years in N scale. It actually still exists, and probably could be made to run again with work, but I look at it and wonder what I was thinking sometimes. But it ran, most of the time. It got better the sumemr I saved up all my money to buy a brand new MRC Tech II power pack (they were new at the time). DCC didn;t exist. The closest thing I was aware of was an old system, that even then was long out of production, GE ASTRAC, somethign I had read about in a book I took out from the library. At that time, it was all a dream to have trains run like that.

 My advice is to start small, and work your way up. Signalling and the detection required is fairly complex, and not going to be cheap, not if you want it to actually work liek real signals. Just putting up some signals to show how a turnout is thrown, that can be fairly inexpensive - the signal itself will likely be the most expensive piece. Those types of signals are simply driven with contacts on the switch machine, there's no complicated or expensive electronics involved. But for actually having a signal go red when a train enters the block, then yellow when it's int he next one, and finally green when there's a clear block ahead - that gets more complicated. And expensive. It's a good thing to learn about, it might even spark an interest in electronics. Don;t be discouraged, I'm not saying you CAN'T do it, I'm saying take it slowly, lots of things to learn about before jumping in. Before you know it, you'll have a pike to be proud of.

                               --Randy

 

[jacob t. b.]

Thank you.

 I was just thinking about doing it later on once I had gotten used to it.

I have already had a small layout with a loop and passing siding. I sort of got the basics with that. I want to move on to DCC and hopefully later on...signals.

[Dave Merrill]

Jacob,

Welcome to the hobby and to this great forum.  Please feel free to ask any questions you have as you learn more about model railroading.

I want to echo Randy's suggestion to start slow, and your thought about moving to DCC is a move in the right direction.  Perhaps you could look into the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra and a couple of decoders.  Then you could run two trains on your layout, and experience some of the neat features that DCC has to offer.  The Zephyr can be the core element as your railroad grows, is easy for beginners and has the power to handle your needs for many years to come.

Remember that even the most experienced member of this forum at one time had your level of knowledge. 

Good luck,

[gandydancer19]

Hi Jacob,

Here is a link that will show you what can be done and how to do it.  However, like the others have said, maybe you should wait a little bit.  But anyway, you can still dream and do your research.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzescsbb/HO_MRR/Signals/Signals_getting_started1.html

The 'signal animator' at this link is really simple and may be something to look at for your first effort.

http://www.logicrailtech.com/index.htm