Staging yard control

[sjcox]

I am trying (without much success) to figure out my options for controlling two 9 track hidden staging yards, both with reversing loops.  I would like operators to be able to select a track and have all turnouts line properly and also have some sort of indicator as to where the train is both in and out bound.  There seem to be a number of options but with technology changing so quickly it is difficult to figure out what to use that will be viable into the future.

[rrinker]

 Don't fall into the trap that you always need the latest and greatest. It's an artificial construct of the throw away society. It's what makes people think they need the latest computer or smartphone when the previous model they currently have does the job perfectly. Or why small devices with simple processing needs suddenly all need to use 32 bit ARM-core microcontrollers when the 10 year old 8-bit one will work just as well.

 What it depends on is what sort of switch motors you are using. And then if you want control under DCC or just have the local buttons. One of the oldest schemes for implementing what you want to do is the classic diode matrix. Just because it was developed a long time ago doesn't make it invalid. It meets the other criteria as well: simple to understand, and it will still be around 10 years from now because they will still be making dioodes, and 10 years from now you will still be able to push the button for track 5 and all the turnouts will line for track 5.

 There are ways to implenet the diode matrix with all sorts of switch motor controls, although it originated with twin-coil solenoid machines. The same concept can apply to other types of switch motors as well.

 Or with slow motion machines, you can use the contacts they have to throw others in sequence. Or if you are going DCC, you can use routes, which define sets of turnouts to operate and in most cases can still be triggered by locally mounted pushbuttons, not just via the DCC throttle.

 You can get fancy and roll your own system with an Arduino or similar microcontroller, your program code will operate the required turnouts based on each track selected by buttons on a panel or some other method.

 None of this is obsolete, or will become unusable in a couple of years just because someone comes up with yet another method.

                                     --Randy

 

[cuyama]

Since solid-state equipment doesn't typically wear out, most options that you might choose today will operate well far into the future.

As Randy noted, especially for a staging yard a diode matrix can work well, but requires some work to figure out the relationships and then to build the board. There are many links on-line related to using a diode matrix for model railroading

A custom builder I work with often chooses NCE's Switch 8 Mk2 with low-draw stall motors like Tortoise. Adding an accessory "button board" allows for simple push-button control rather than operating from a DCC controller.

Good luck with your layout

[BroadwayLion]

LION uses tortoise switch machines, and you knead them for this to work, but then you need them anyway (ROAR)

Nine tracks, eh, 3 thracks 6 tracks or 9 tracks is all the same to the LION

So, from bottom to top the tracks are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Now you heve six levers. They are numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Track 0 is the mane lion with lever 1 in the normal position the train will run on track 0. All other levers are in the normal (down) position.

If you reverse lever 1 the train will go to track 6

If you reverse 1 and 6 the train will go to track 5

If you reverse 1 and 5 the train will go to track 4

So no matter what track you want, you only move at the most 2 levers.

YOu move lever 1 to say "YARD" and then you move a yard lever (2-6) to choose a TRACK in the yard.

Of coourse you really need many more levers.

Lever 0 would be the home signal on the northbound approach to the yard switch. Normal position is RED, reverse position is green or yellow depending on the position of lever 1.

There are seven more levers controlling southbound traffic.

Lever 7 is the home signal for south bound trains on track 0, Normal is RED, and reverse is green, but this lever is interlocked with lever 1 so that it cannot be reversed (set to Green) if lever 1 is reversed (set to the yard).

Lever 8 is the home signal on track 1, 9 for 2, etc.

You cannot reverse lever 1 unless lever 7 is normal (Signal Red)

You cannot clear the signal for departure unless the plant is also aligned for that track. Clearing the signals is the last step for aligning the interlocking plant.

On GRS plants the signal levers were always at the far right and far left of the array, and the signal levers are in order from left to right as shown on the model board. For trains moving across the board from left to right have ALL of their signals on the left side of the board, Right to left vice versa.

 

Does everybody need these signal levers. No they usually ignore them, but the LION does not ignore them, because operating the interlocking tower is the most fun you can have on a railroad.

So spake zara LION.

 

ROAR

 

[davidmurray]

cuyama

As Randy noted, especially for a staging yard a diode matrix can work well, but requires some work to figure out the relationships and then to build the board. There are many links on-line related to using a diode matrix for model railroading

Now that diodes are less than 20 cents apiece, why think, just put a diode in each wire so that the current goes only from push button to switch motor.

I did eight tracks this way (dead end) using peco power routing turnouts and peco switch machines.  One set of feeders at start of staging, not only sets turnouts sets power if in DC, DCC you probably need more track feeders.

Dave