Hi all. I'm going to be starting a Layout finally and looking for some help and some understanding on how signal's work on a train layout. How to go about wiring them up so they function and all that jazz, any good books out their on this subject or websites of pamphlets. I do like free... but will pay.
Goodness:
Here's one place to start: http://waynes-trains.com/site/Signals/Model-Railroad-Signaling.html
Joe
Wow, that's pretty ambitious for ... **checks** ... is this your first layout? In another thread, you mention the decision between HO and N scale, which leads me to surmise you don't have any track or rolling stock yet. Anyway, there's a number of ways to do signaling in either scale. My recommendation would be to design electrical gaps in your rails for each "block" you wish to signal. As you lay track, make sure to insulate the track electrically, and wire feeders to each section. The reason for this is so you can provide for train detection (unless you intend to use an optical system, which has its own benefits and drawbacks).
Regardless which detection method you use, you'll need to decide whether to model a full CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) or APB (Absolute-Permissive Block) system, or simply ABS (Automatic Block Signals). My personal recommendation would be to start off with an automatic block system, which will give the Green-Red-Yellow appearance as a train traverses the layout. If I ever install signals on my layout, this is essentially what I will do. I don't need a fully functional CTC system, nor do I want the complexity involved. I would just want to see the signals change colors as the train goes from point A to point B.
Brad
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Lots of references and information in this recent thread:http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/210521.aspx
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On the real railroads, and therefore also on model railroads there are different kinds, reasons and methods of signaling. So it really depends on what era and sort of railroad you are modeling.
The LION modes the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) . Here there are both "Block Signals" and "Home Signals". Block Signals report the presence of trains headed in the same direction in front of you on the track. They are automatic and require no operator to display them. These are identified on most railroads by a number plate, which is an integral part of the signal aspect. On most properties its aspects are "Clear", "Restricting"; and "STOP and Proceed expecting to find a train in front of you in the same block: You must be prepared to stop with in one-half of your vision in front of you. [NYCT does NOT permit trains to pass a red block signal with out direct directions from the command center.]
HOME signals are controlled by a dispatcher or tower operator. They do not have the same sort of number plate and frequently have two heads. These are easy to model since you can tie them into your track switches.
On NYCT the lower signal is the home signal, if red then the top signal also displays red, and is unequivocal in its demand to STOP. The lower head can display STOP, NORMAL (Green) or DIVERGING (Yellow). The upper head which is automatic displays RED= STOP; Yellow = Restricting: "The next signal is Red"; or Green = Clear "The next signal is NOT RED."
On modern railroad applications the signals display the allowed speed rather than the exact condition of the rails ahead. Obviously, you will get a slower aspect if a diverging route is selected, but all that is really conveyed is "What speed may you pass the signal."
On older signal systems a HOME signal would protect the entrance to a signal track, and it is absolute. Once on that track the remaining signals are block signals and are simply protecting a train in front of you on the same track.
There are many electronics that you can buy that will operate your signals, and heretofore, the LION was content to use HOME signals protecting his switches and they looked fine and changed color aspects from time to time. This is the cheap way of doing things. On my present railroad I need hundreds of block signals, and presently I simply control the aspects with manual switches. The aspects are only correct when I set them up for a photo shoot. Since my railroad is automated, I will tie the signals into the automation system, they will occasionally appear to be correct, and will work automatically but not very realistically. There is no way I can afford 300 track detectors!
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