Hello. I have a question that maybe someone can help me with. I'm about to start building my 12' 12' walk in layout and I'm planning on putting working signals on it. I don't want to dish out the bucks to put make the layout controled by signals. I was looking at a signal animator made by Logic rail Technologies. I was wondering if anyone was used it and if it was worth the money.
Hi Traindude,
I haven't used them but for a simple system these are a good idea.
From their website they work like this:-
When the train covers the sensor (mounted between the rails) the signal turns red. When the train clears the sensor the signal turns yellow after a delay (10 or 30 seconds, selectable). After another delay the signal turns green.
If you are happy with this, and the cost suits your budget, then they are a good investment.
You might want to use them on main lines and something at bit different at crossing loops and stations, it's up to how complicated you want it to be.
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
Many of us use our signals as turnout position indicators, just to give them something to do. If you're uising Tortoise machines to drive your turnouts, it's as simple as connecting the lights to the contacts on the Tortoise, providing power and watching them change as you throw the turnout.
But, looking at that Logic Rail unit, I think I've got just the place for it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am using current detectors BD20 made by NCE to activate some relays to show block occupancy and control signals on some T-Trak modules I have built. The BD20's will work with DC or DCC and can be used to operate the Atlas signal control boards. A simple resistor wheelset on each car will give block occupancy detection.
I have a set of the sensors from Logic Rail the signal animators. They work great.
Get the Infrared detectors, as they work better in low light.
If you have questions like I did on the install, just call the guy, he is very friendly and willing to help out.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Im looking at logic control boards for signal animation using infared from one onf our china ebay suppliers,very cheap & very simple ,5-signals red/grn,5 logic boards w/sensors about 80 american ,the signals could have better detail ,but ....Jerry
LION wants train detectors. LION needs about 200 of them. LION cannot afford them
POOR LION!
The LION'S layout is automated in a poor man's sort of a way. (There is a 60 second / 4 event timer in the control panel that releases trains from a given station at a given moment in time. Trains arrive on time since they were released from the previous station on time. It is just a matter of releasing them from each station. This is accomplished by a relay triggered by the timer.
The SIGNALS can also be tied to this timer system. Station signals will turn green ahead of the train's departure from a station, then 15 seconds later turn to red, and 15 seconds after that. It will not be accurate, it will not control trains, but at least the signals will change color and more than that I cannot ask (at any price that I am willing to pay.)
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Thanks for the replies. I'm deff thinking of going this direction with signals. I'll be using BLMA signals on most of the layout.