Hello people I hope this topic is in the correct section of the forum. This is my HO layout. It is 3 meter’s X 1.8 meter in size. I am almost completed laying the track, at the moment it is DC but I would like to go DCC in the future. The layout has already been divided in block sections using isolated joiners. I’m thinking about using atlas signal system on my layout, but it seems a little confused to me. I want to know how many SCB and DBD board I will need. The Red dots is Bi-Directional signals The Blue dots is Single signals The Yellow dots is double signals I have 4 blocks on my layout.(A, B ,C and D) Some things that are confusing me about the atlas signal system are…. 1. If the block has 2 signals on either side pointing away from each other do I need two SCB’s and one DBD? Thank you for reading.
Hello people I hope this topic is in the correct section of the forum.
This is my HO layout. It is 3 meter’s X 1.8 meter in size. I am almost completed laying the track, at the moment it is DC but I would like to go DCC in the future.
The layout has already been divided in block sections using isolated joiners. I’m thinking about using atlas signal system on my layout, but it seems a little confused to me.
I want to know how many SCB and DBD board I will need.
The Red dots is Bi-Directional signals
The Blue dots is Single signals
The Yellow dots is double signals
I have 4 blocks on my layout.(A, B ,C and D)
Some things that are confusing me about the atlas signal system are….
1. If the block has 2 signals on either side pointing away from each other do I need two SCB’s and one DBD?
Thank you for reading.
Kameelperdza - Welcome to Trains.com!
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Thank you
Thank you for your reply david.
Here is some pictures of my layout. Dont know why they did not show up.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/1000763bf.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/1000748t.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/1000747u.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/1000709v.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/706/1202031628360001.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/17420571201081149540701.jpg/
My biggest worries is that my layout wont be compatible with any signal system when the time comes that i can switch to dcc. I wil only be able to go dcc later this year. By that time i would have already began with scenery and won't be able to modify and joiners etc.
I have made some blocks by using isolated joiners here and there.
David which dcc signal system would you recommend using with my layout?. My options are very limited in South Africa. Most dcc and signal systems are imported from overseas.
I see that the hobbyshop has the new Digitrax SE8C Signal Decoder.
When i go dcc then i would probobly get the DIGITRAX ZEPHYR XTRA.
PS: Please let me know if my layout pictures does not show when clicking on the link.
The current detectors that Atlas uses for their SCB's (signal control board) will not work with DCC. NCE makes a current detector #BD20 that will operate the Atlas SCB's. Yoy will also need some switch control boards to indicate switch position. Look at this site customsignals.com . They developed the signal system along with Atlas.
I used the Atlas N scale signals with N scale control boards on several of my T-Trak modules. The signals were not bright enough to be seen at the shows I attend with them due to the bright lighting in the rooms. I wanted to swap in signals from NJ International which were brighter but the Atlas signal LEDs are wired common cathode while the ones from NJ I are wired common anode and will not work with the Atlas control boards, so I ended up making my own control boards.
The DB20 will work with either DC or DCC since it is not dependent on the control system in any way. I have used the system for over four years and have had no problems. Several people will also make signals with with the correct wiring which will work with the system if you want a different style of signal head. The Digitrax system is very good but probably and overkill looking at the pictures of your layout.
Good luck
Dick Foster
Gate 5
I agree that too much signals would be overkill. So i did some thinking and came up with a new design.
I want to place atlas single signal heads on both sides of the tunnel. They must be under full control if the block system.
Will this setup work when my track runs on dcc power?
And do I need two blocks if I want to place signals on both sides of the tunnel?
I have found this link describing how to wire turnout indicators which I will use in the rail yard.
http://nietzsche.mems.duke.edu/~auro/trains/tech/DCC_DWARFS/
Here is my new layout signal planning.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/new2yp.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/new1r.jpg/
Try this link:
http://www.waynes-trains.com/site/Signals/Model-Railroad-Signaling.html
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Atlas signals with the BD20's for detection will not use ANY DCC power, it would be a totally isolated system fromt he DCC track power. The BD20 works by detecting the current flow when a loco, lighted car, or freight car with resistor wheels is in the detected block.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.