What is a brand besides Digitrax and Atlas that makes a block detection signalling system that does not require a computer or dispatcher?
Indianapolis Railroad - Indy Rail! Route of the Brickyard Flyer! Established 1976.
LION just used relays to control the signals and to stop the train ahead of a red signal. Him used reed switches embedded in the track as detectors, and mounted magnets at the botom of the trains.
How many signal blocks to you require?
With over 200 signals of layout of LION, buing signals, detectors or logic was simply out of the question.
Railroads use two different kinds of signals. BLOCK signals, or HOME/INTERLOCKING signals. Block signals are automatic and prevent your train from running into the train ahead of you. These are normall GREEN except in the presence of traffic ahead of your train. All of the LIONS wall of relays control these block signals. Home signals for the most part are simply tied to the switch machines, but in some places, such as the 242nd Street terminal, the operator MUST operate at least sicnal lever 3 to receive trains at 242nd street and levers 35 or 36 to dispatch trains from the terminal station. (levers 1, & 2 control the switches leading to 242nd Street.
HOME signals protect interlocking plants and are indeed part of the interlocking plant. These are normally RED and are cleared manually by the tower operator after he has set up the plant for the route that the train will be taking. Most modelers just tie these signals in with the switch points. GREEN for CLEAR, YELLOW for DIVERGING, and RED for STOP : The switch is set against your movement. LION finds playing with the levers of him more fun than running the trains. Indeed the trains are automatic, the LION operates the tower.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Logic Rail Signal Animator. The Team Digital boards can store the logic in the board, no computer needed. The Digitrax SE8C DOES need a computer. Check the programming required for boards like the Team Digital - I think you'll find defining signal logic in JMRI si MUCH easier than trying to figure out all those CVs to conditions. The Logic Rail Signal Animator is more of a device to make the lights change as trains go by, not totally prototypical, but non-railroad friends will see all the blinky lights and be awed.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
is there any reason why you can't simply use the signals from the block detectors to control the signals?
I know more sophisticated signals depend on many things, including the occupancy of a block after the next one and if the train is in the same direction or not.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Freemo has such a system. It's not a "brand"--you do it yourself.
It is an ABS system. It senses trains and sets the appropriate signals to red, yellow, or green. It also takes account of main-line switch position. Maybe even other choices, but that's as far as I go.
I have just finished one module with signaling. It works nicely in testing.
I have seen Freemo setups with signaling. The signals worked well. There was no computer. There was no dispatcher, at least not one who did anything about signals.
Another approach to signaling is to simulate CTC operation. There, you have signals at each switch for a siding. The signal indication sort of generally changes with the switch position. I think you could do this by just using extra contacts on your switch machines.
Ed
I am with Randy. When I started thinking about signaling, I too was looking for more of an embedded solution. But quickly realized that an old computer is enough to run JMRI. Initial investment in setting up loco net will pay dividends later In wireless control, track-diagrams, expandability etc
Depends upon what what you want to achieve of course.