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.
Thanks for the input guys.....
I will start investigating.
-G-
Check out this site too. Rob provides the circuits and has very reasonable terms on PC boards too. He shows how to build several different circuits.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#Light
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
Lateral G,
If you don't mind building some from available parts, there is a very easy-to-follow article in the November 2006 issue of the NMRA Scale Rails magazine. It's called the Ten Minute Train detector. I built 6 such circuits for exactly the same application - hidden trackage. The cost is minimal, but it does take a bit longer than ten minutes to build each circuit. I am, by no means, an electronics guy, but I was able to build these things without much trouble. The detection device is a photo-cell between the rails with a lamp overhead. When a train passes over the photo-cell, it blocks the light and activates the circuit - which lights a small LED on the control panel. If you can't locate the Scale Rails article, send me a PM, or you are welcome to call my office and ask me for my e-mail address. My office phone is (530) 345 7425.
If you want to buy a ready-made circuit, Circuitron has a board that does the same thing. It supports four detectors, also photo-cells. Check their web site for the details.
Regardless of which way you might go, the installation will take the same amount of time.
Hope to hear from you.
The Other Chip
What commercially available track detection sensors are available?
I have some hidden trackage where I'd like to know if it's occupied or not while running. I'm thinking of some LED's on the fascia that light up when the train passes over that section of track then go out when it passes.
Is there anything like this?