Mainline and Yard Track Signals Made Easy, Model RR Application Ideas for DC Signal Lights Operation.

[Big Boy Forever]

Anyone have some simple wiring tips or circuit ideas for realistic signal block wiring and sensors for DC operation, (not DCC) mainline and yard?

I suppose the easiest "but unrealistic" would be wiring signals to DC block switches so the signals turn red in a block when that block is activated but that is not how the real trains do it.

I realize this could get complicated if a person wanted absolute accurate prototype signal modeling. Maybe there is a ready made electronic package that figures out the dispatchers job on a model layout, I don't know.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

[ricktrains4824]

Easiest, and still realistic, is to hook up to your tortoise to change aspect when turnouts are thrown. While not "block" protection, it does give an appearance of operating signals, while keeping it simple.

For actual ABS style, many manufacturers have pre-made circuits to choose from, but get more and more complicated (relatively) as you go.

[BroadwayLion]

LION uses DC for trains and DC for Signals. For signal detection LION uses reed switches between the gauge of the railroad, and magnets glued to the bottom of the locomotives. For the Signals and control of the Railroad, the LION uses relays. Lay out of him *could*  (should( have about 300 block signals, but him cannot afford that, so each block is associated with a station, that is to say a platform edge.

Each block requires three relays. The first two are on the realy board as shown below.

The third relay is trackside and cuts power to the approach block in the face of a red signal.

The wiring diagrams for the Route of the Broadway Lion can be found on page 15 of the Operations and Maintenance Manual.

ROAR

[cuyama]

For cosmetic signaling, tying indications to switch point positions as was suggested is one good approach.

There are devices which simulate full signaling without all of the complexity. For example, these from Logic Rail:
https://www.logicrailtech.com/blkani.htm
https://www.logicrailtech.com/sigani.htm

Byron

[RR_Mel]

 

I went as simple as I could and my signals work accurately by detection.  I have had problems using current detection so I’m in progress of cutting over to optical detectors.  Current detection doesn’t work on rolling stock unless you have wheels with resistor and I didn’t want to go in the direction.

 

I have my layout about half done using both LED IR detectors as well as standard LED detectors in hidden areas where the LRD light beam can’t be seen.

 

The only problem I’ve had is hiding the IR LEDs out in the open.  I hide them in rocks, bushes, tree trunks and buildings.  I have two light beams operating very good covering 10’ lengths of track.  Once aligned and glued in place they work great.  Here is a link to my layout signal system.

 

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/p/page-17.html 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[DigitalGriffin]

Well there's turnout indicators (switch stand lights) to indicate how a switch is thrown (red/green) and then there's block indicators which show occupancy and speed restrictions.

Most yards used flags to indicate which way a switch is thrown.  So that should save you a lot of wiring grief.  But to be honest if you power your frog on your yard track with a tortoise, it's a very easy additional couple wires to light a turnout dwarf indicator.

Block signals are determined by period and railroad.  The prototype forum would have good information.  Once you are armed with this info, you can come back here and we can tell you how to wire it up and what block detectors to use.  (Home made or pre built)

[gmpullman]

Big Boy Forever

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

I still stand by the LogicRail Signal Animator that I mentioned in this thread from just a few days ago:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/253037.aspx

Enjoy, Ed