Signals

[engineAL]

Hi

I am building a 4x8 layout and want to add working signals to it. I have DC right now, but am planning to convert to a low cost DCC system like Bachmann EZ Command Control. I want the signals to make my layout more realistic, but also to help with operations.  I would like to place signals where the prototype would put them: entrance to tunnels, entrance to and exit from yards, at stations... and have them tell which way the switch is thrown, if there is another train in the tunnel, on a yard track...; but I am on a very tight budget. Do you have any recommendations on a low-cost, basic signaling system to use? The system does not need to be to very complicated and I want it to be small. I have my switch controllers mounted on the fascia and my throttle kind of under the table. I could easily set up blocks if I needed them.

Thanks

[cacole]

Since you say you're on a very tight budget, the cheapest possible way I can think of to have signals would be to use Model Power signals connected through manual toggle switches.  Any type of automatic system is going to be expensive.

Model Power signals are shown on the Cherry Creek Hobbies web site at http://cchobbies.com/powerpacks/lights.htm 

[jrbernier]

  Working signal can get very expensive - Very fast!  There are stand-alone HW solutions out there, and you can also use JMRI on a home computer for the 'logic'  The actual 'detection' of a track block is a little different on DC compared to DCC.  The EZ Command has no capability to do signaling.  You can use Digitrax Loconet with you EZ Command system(The Loconet will operate by itself)  You still have to buy all of the detection/driver HW.  This will interface to a home computer via a USB cable.  Then your need to program the JMRI - Panel Pro software to do what you want.  Like I said, this is not going to be inexpensive.

  I have close to $800 tied up in signals/HW just to control 8 blocks of signaling.  This stuff is not cheap!  I used the cheap Bachmann block signals as 'place markers' for a number of years until I got around to installing working signals.

Jim

[MisterBeasley]

Your first suggestion, that the signals be used as turnout position indicators, is relatively easy and cheap to implement.  If you are using Tortoise switch machines, the built-in contacts can be used to control signals directly.  For Peco twin-coil machines, you can get an add-on gadget which will provide contact closures.  If you're using Atlas twin-coils, you can replace them with "deluxe" switch machines, or simply get some cheap latching relays for a few dollars.

I'm working on an Oregon Rail Supply signal bridge that will be a turnout position indicator, and I've got other signals on my layout that do the same thing.  It's a relatively easy and cheap way to get working signals that have some value beyond being "colored lights" on the layout.

[engineAL]

Thanks, I will look into them more.