I never had signaling in my previous layouts. Now, as I return to the hobby, I would like some signalling (DCC layout) I am a freelancer, so it doesn't have to be absoulutely prototypical to a specific RR nor does it have to be all encompassing. Just a couple signals would be nice. I think the word I am looking for is verisimilitude.
I went to the NJ International website and I am inundated with JS/Exploit virus warnings. No joy to be found there.
Is there an old thread that would be helpful for electrically challenged newbies?
I'm interested in signaling vs track crossings and the Chicom dwarf lights are not quite what I am looking for.
Thanks.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hi, Henry
I'm with you that I like to see some signals on my layout and I like to have them animated so that they perform "just like the real thing"... almost.
My signals are mostly annimated using the Signal Animator from Logic-Rail.
https://www.logicrailtech.com/
Some of my earlier signals were triggered by photocells but when the IR detection became available I went with those.
There are modelers who want block detection so that nearly every piece of rolling stoch has a resistance in order for an electronic detector can "see" it. Well, that's fine for some but in a practical sense that is way too involved for what I need.
Here's one thread that has some discussion:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/253037.aspx
I have a few of my signals interlocked with turnouts so that a proper aspect is displayed in relation to the turnout. A nice feature of the Signal Animator is that the IR loop can be shorted to drop the signal to red. I also use this to drop the signal when the directon of traffic is reversed (nothing worse than seeing a clear signal when there is an on-coming train approaching).
Another link here:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/243185.aspx
After you read through these, come back with more questions and I'll try to help.
Regards, Ed
I have no problem at http://www.njinternational.com/ . They do have pictures of all their signals with a very brief description of what they are but not much help on their application.
http://tomarindustries.com/ they have a nice line of signals but again a brief description and not much more info.
You can search on the forum for info and Kalmbach has books that cover signals.
Ron High
My signals are simple turnout-position indicators. They help me see which way a turnout is set from far away, so they serve a useful purpose. I don't pretend that they are terribly prototypical, but they satisfy my need for signals of some sort.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
BigDaddy I'm interested in signaling vs track crossings and the Chicom dwarf lights are not quite what I am looking for.
Are you interested in block signals? Or, just a simple method of identifying turnout positions?
Rich
Alton Junction
On a model railroad, the most useful and important siginals are interlocking siginals, which direct trains through turnouts, or groups of turnouts (known on the prototype as "interlockings").
These signals respond to both train detection and turnout position, and can be controlled by a dispatcher to simulate CTC as well.
Too much to explain now, but simple CTC/interlockling signal systems are not that hard to build, depending on your layout plan and goals.
Properly done it will look prototypical and make operation easier and more fun.
It is not necessary to follow all prototype signaling practice to the letter to creat a working and effective system on a model layout - our distances don't allow it or support it well.
I can explain more later and supply some resources if anyone wants to know more.
Sheldon
BigDaddy I never had signaling in my previous layouts. Now, as I return to the hobby, I would like some signalling (DCC layout) I am a freelancer, so it doesn't have to be absoulutely prototypical to a specific RR nor does it have to be all encompassing. Just a couple signals would be nice. I think the word I am looking for is verisimilitude.
These postings touch on an important idea. You don’t have to signalize the entire layout. Such a task would be daunting to even the most intrepid modeler. If you can just get a couple of blocks to function prototypically, particularly high visibility blocks, then it would appear that the entire layout is signalized. I’m not entirely sure what verisimilitude means, but onomatopoetically it seems about right.
LINK to SNSR Blog
ROBERT PETRICKonomatopoetically
You got me back
NJ International. I use AVG and it gives me a hard warning. It could be a false alarm but having been infected once this year, I'm not taking any chances.
Mel Great links. Punching my own signal heads out of brass is probably not in my future.
My turnouts are all simple ground throws so I guess I'm looking for block occupancy rather than turnout indication.
gmpullmanMy signals are mostly annimated using the Signal Animator from Logic-Rail. https://www.logicrailtech.com/
+1
These give the appearance of block occupancy detection without all the work.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
BigDaddyNJ International. I use AVG and it gives me a hard warning. It could be a false alarm but having been infected once this year, I'm not taking any chances.
Kaspersky also blocks it.
On the signaling bit, my personal preference is to start with a prototype system and rules and cut back from there to achieve a modelable system. This way I have a system where my future operators will be able to easily learn my signaling system, because it is based on a prototype (if they already know the rules, I can just tell them what is omitted, instead of teaching the whole thing because I made up my own system). I understand that I may have to teach some people signaling rules from the ground up.
I have found Bruce Chubb's current multipart series in RMC Jan-June, Aug-? to be somewhat helpful in learning (he gets into the weeds about the prototype very quickly (also it seems like a long winded multipart C/MRI advertisement...).
Chapter 8 of Realistic Model Railroad Operation by Tony Koester has good, basic signaling info in it as well. Also Railroad Signaling by Brian Solomon is also an excellent source of information about signaling (Tony Koester recommends this resource in his book as well).
BMMECNYC BigDaddy NJ International. I use AVG and it gives me a hard warning. It could be a false alarm but having been infected once this year, I'm not taking any chances. Kaspersky also blocks it.
BigDaddy NJ International. I use AVG and it gives me a hard warning. It could be a false alarm but having been infected once this year, I'm not taking any chances.
I use the Pale Moon browser running on Linux with AdBlock Latitude looking for site issues. It finds nothing. I wonder if the virus warning is due to the link to http://www.n-j-international.myshopify.com/
Edit:
A Google search finds quite a few complaints about antivirus companies mistakenly flagging shopify plug-ins as malware. Note, I have no idea if these complaints are valid or not.
Interesting, jsut went there, nothing. But I have Ad Block Plus so I'm not seeing the ads - most likely vector for the malicious stuff is the ads, if they have any.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
RR_Mel Windows Defender finds “Trojan:IS/Redirector:NT” at NJ International.com every time! 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.
Maybe Trojan:JS/Redirector:NT?
Trojan:IS/Redirector:NT gets no hits.
I just went directly to their Shopify site with no redirects and no troubles.
http://www.n-j-international.myshopify.com/
Shopify is a fairly large business. They are less likely to be infected than a small business site like NJ International.
Most of their products are sold out. Pickin's are indeed slim.
Digitrax has a whole family of signals and detection devices, including a simplified 3-aspect signal mast. It's not great, but it's not bad either and would serve until you can find something more appropriate. Here's a link:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/detection-signaling/smbk/#lightbox[product]/0/
Paint the mast black or silver or something, then plug-and-play.
CentralGulf I just went directly to their Shopify site with no redirects and no troubles. http://www.n-j-international.myshopify.com/ Shopify is a fairly large business. They are less likely to be infected than a small business site like NJ International.
RR_Mel Windows 10 Defender finds http://www.n-j-international.myshopify.com/ clean.
I suspect the "Trojan" on NJ International's site is just poor coding pointing to the shopping site. In any event, it seems confirmed that you can shop safely 'till your heart's content (or broken if you're looking for out-of-stock stuff) at:
The simplest signaling that I can think of is a single-turnout interlocking (ignore the "i" word for now).
The turnout will have three signals: one single-head each facing down the two-track side and a two-head facing down the single track.
You will need some kind of electrical contacts. Obviously. If you are going to stick with hand-throw, you can do it by adding a micro-switch and maybe a relay (to get extra contacts). The various contacts will switch which bulbs are lit.
Anyway, there are two logic options you will have: straight through or diverging.
If you have straight through, the two-head will display green over red. The siding signal will be red. The main line will be green.
If you throw the switch to the siding, the two-head will be red over yellow. The siding signal will be yellow. The main line signal will be red.
How simple is that?
This display will pretty much replicate a real signal set for a single turnout at the end of a siding on a mainline. EXCEPT: Note that there IS NO DETECTION. So the system fails to show you an oncoming train. Yeow!!!
But it is simple. And it does change colors. And it's very similar to the prototype. Aside from the possible need for a relay, the "electronics" are stunningly simple. I wouldn't feel the need to apologize if I built this. In fact, a signal "nut" would probably "signal" approval that you tried, and then try to convince you to go deeper. And deeper. And DEEPER. If ya get my drift.
I got sucked into signaling a couple of years ago. On my new Free-mo module, a guy said: "Hey, here's a great place for signals. Right here.". And, being a fan of colored lights, I bit. But there are, shall we say, certain expectations from one's compatriots. So that signal very quickly became a fully opertional ABS signal pair. With detection and all that stuff. It was in a setup a month ago and worked perfectly.
Anyway, I kind of got the bug. NOW I want to build a double track paired crossover. That being two mating single crossovers. With full interlocking and signaling. And a very kind former SP signal maintainer is guiding me through it. Lucky I am.
So these things can kind of creep up on you.
Ed
Logic Rail has a lot of PDF's which look helpful.
The NJ-I Shopify site is about 90% sold out.
Thanks for all the replies
BigDaddy Logic Rail has a lot of PDF's which look helpful. The NJ-I Shopify site is about 90% sold out. Thanks for all the replies
It is unfortunate that there is not a stable supplier of signal products.
I understand the owner of Oregon Rail Supply recently passed away. I am fortunate to have stocked-up on their signal parts. NJI and Tomar can be hit-or-miss. BLMA seems to keep a steady stock but most of their offerings are too modern for my use. I am not familiar with the Atlas ones and there was an outfit called ISS (IIRC) but they were pretty $$. All custom made.
http://www.integratedsignalsystems.com/
I often browse the signal pages at MB Klein and sometimes they have a 10% discount on signal stuff.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Signals-s/1960.htm
Sometimes you have to browse other areas of their site for some signals.
BigDaddyI'm interested in signaling vs track crossings
Big Daddy, I'm not sure exactly what kind of signals you are looking for.
Grade (highway) crossing signals?
Track crossing signals (where railroad A crosses railroad B)?
Or Block signals protecting a crossover or a clear route ahead.
I am not familiar with a Chicom dwarf. The Chicago & North Western used a unique dwarf type semaphore with a rotating white disk. Maybe that is what you seek?
Like this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonroma/6314287150
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullman BLMA seems to keep a steady stock but most of their offerings are too modern for my use.
BLMA seems to keep a steady stock but most of their offerings are too modern for my use.
THIS is too modern for ya?:
Those things are about as old as I am. Which is pretty darn old. Of course, if yer modeling NP, then your point is valid.
Which is why I used the qualifier most... It makes a difference.
I do have a bunch of BLMA H2 heads. They are gorgeous and have a three-color LED.
I'll be more (or maybe less?) specific in my wording in the future...
I wonder what Atlas will do with their own signal line now that they purchased BLMA?
Regards,
Very elegant!
Traffic crossing signals look pretty straightforward to me and I wasn't asking about those. Block signals is what I want.
Chicom dwarfs. That was a humorous reference to We Honest, the Ebay seller from the land of Chairman Mao. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-pcs-3mm-LEDs-made-HO-OO-Scale-Dwarf-Signals-2-aspects-Lights-/251551091567?hash=item3a919d0b6f
Now that I look at them, they don't look as crude as I thought they did.
Those guys have all sorts of things, and it all looks pretty decent. They have standard 3 aspect signals as well as the dwarf ones, and they also have a simple signal animation controller to drive them, the time delay type where the signal shows green until the photosensor is blocked, then it goes red, after a time yellow, then after another delay back to green. And people and trees. And pre-wired SMD LEDs in all kinds of colors.
I just have to laugh at the name they use though.