Signal Research

[dknelson]

Has anyone had any real experience with this interesting technology? It uses regular DC on regular track but blocks are wired into a processor so that trains never collide, no special wiring needed for return loops or wyes, and up to 99 trains can be run with NO alterations to the equipment. Each block is connected to the computer.
Their literature, their website, and the Model Railroader review all sound intriguing but I have yet to talk to someone that actually has it.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I too am interested in the DCB system. I have no first hand info except that on the internet. If you hear anything I would appreciate an e-mail from you.
tombilly
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of the system. Where can I find out more. I'm planning on building my own micro processor controlled system one day but I'd like to know how others have done it.

[dknelson]

a positive review in Model Railroader about 2 years ago alerted me to it. They have a good website
www.signalresearch.com
I just want to talk to someone who has really used it. It has some very positive features and some limitations I need to clear up before I go forward since it is not cheap
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Even though I haven't used it it looks like a pretty good system to me. Might be a pain to have to devide a large layout into blocks but thats the way it used to be done. Not having to install decoders is definately a bonus.

Only trouble is it removes the fun of those accidental DCC head on collisions.

Looks a little expensive. I bet it could be done cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

Was planning to convert my entire fleet over to DCC, but now that you have shed light on DCB, I might just hang that idea up and go for this instead. I really wasn't looking forward to converting my fleet over to DCC anyhow (60+ diesel engines).

Because of the size of my fleet, DCB would be more cost effective to me. I would just have to invest in about a couple dozen or so resistors for my cabooses and end unit cars.

The only drawback I could forsee here is the wiring of my large (80 x 16) layout into blocks, and "knowing" which cars have rear-end resistors.

You would just have to hookup the resistors to your caboose fleet and any FRED-equipped cars.

A question though. Does this do away with the CTC panel and your track diagram with all your signals and switch locations? I was looking forward to building one of those.

Thanks.

-Wolv33

[Anonymous]

It won't do away with CTC. The system doesn't control the switches. I'm not sure if you can have any manual control over the signals though or if all you can do is block signlas.

One other dissadvantage that I can see is you won't have independant control over locomotive lights etc. Also any lighting in passanger cars etc will turn off when you stop the locomotive and change intensity if you don't have constant lighting installed.

One bonus is it's a detection system too. You'd have to add your own detection scheme if running DCC and you wanted signals.

[Anonymous]

Well. I do like the idea of detection. With the design of my staging yards (under the layout), you wouldn't know if you had a derail or not, without installing detection devices. With DBC you would know.

-Wolv33

[dknelson]

The website seems to suggest that it may have some capability of controlling switches to in a sense it could act like CTC, or maybe more like the Automatic Train Stop systems of some years ago.
One question I have is whether once can isolate a given area, with a dpdt switch, and use a local controller since notice -- all control is from the main panel. As it currently exists, no walk around throttle. And that in turn suggests a central panel for turnout control as well
As I said in my first posting -- some interesting features and some limitations
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I just got an @mail back from the signal research people saying -about its potential for operating swithes" that

"It could if this feature was added at some later date, but for now the system only "senses" route controlling turnouts but does not control them.

Dave"

...I'll also like to here from somebody who's tried this system.

Best,

Rodolfo

[Anonymous]

I have talked to a couple of people that know people that have ran trains with them. They seem to like the system a lot. I talked with one fo the train stores that is listed on hte web site as a authorized retailer and all words were positive. I have been thinking and researching the best way to DCC or DBC for z-scale. In the end after looking at CTI and Oak Tree Systems I ended up purchasing the RoadMaster last week (direct from Signal Research). The only problem with ordering it today is that I will not have it for 3-4 months. I knew this going in as I have contacted SR several times by email trying to get all my wiring issues straight before I acutally purchased one. I also purchased the instruction manual about 4 months ago and it helps much with what the system is all about. I am looking forward to the day that I receive it in the mail. I will hopfully have all of my track just waiting to be hooked up the the main control system. I am in the middle of wiring and building my turnout control panel with LED indicators etc.

Sorry I have no first had experience but I will let you know in about October.

Keith

[dknelson]

I was not aware of the waiting period but it stands to reason that they build these things as the orders come in rather than keep a big inventory. I have yet to hear if they have the second, walk around controller yet. That is the bit hangup for me.
Thanks for the update Keith and keep me informed.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I just received a very early Halloween gift in the mail the other day. I ordered my Roadmaster System (Digital Block Control by Signal Research) on June 12th and was not supposed to receive it until October. My problem is that I did not plan for it to be here that early and so I can not hook it up right now for my wiring is not complete. I hope to have it up and running in about 3 weeks or so. I still have to make a turnout control panel to switch all my turnouts and then feed the signal back to the controller.
Will keep you updated.
Keith

[dknelson]

Keith -- any news to report on the Signal Research system?
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Dave,
I hope I can give positive feedback in 3-4 weeks. I am in the middle of wiring my layout so I can hook the system up. I spent 10 hours yesterday and 6 hours today wiring over 400 solder joints, spade connectors, SPST, DPDT, LEDS, etc. under my layout on on the control panel. I am looking forward to the day I can run my layout. Will keep you posted.
Keith

[dknelson]

Brave man! This suggests that perhaps Signal Research is best suited to the guy who already wired his layout for cab control or route control. I will follow your progress with interest -- I am still up in the air between DCC and Signal Research.
Dave

[Anonymous]

Me, too!!

I'm just holding on to hearing from your experiencing with Signal Research.

Rodolfo
"Catenary to the coasts"

[dknelson]

we have two postings going with the same topic
Dave N

[Anonymous]

Any further progress? Still can't find anyone who has one operating.
Russ Smith

[Anonymous]

Russ,

I have mine up and running and it is working great. I purchased mine for zscale. Please email me directly if you have specfic questions. I will try to get back with you by Sunday. email me at klwinternet @ houston . rr . com remove the spaces in the email. Please let me know if you have highspeed internet access. If you do I can possible email you a 10 meg movie file showing 3 trains running at once along with a couple of photos.

I love my Roadmaster. It took me a long time to purchase one. Thought the price was a bit high but it was definately the cheaper way for me to go with Z-scale.

Talk to you later,
Keith

[dknelson]

The one thing (other than the $) that keeps me from going this route -- Signal Research keeps promising multiple throttle capability -- but never seems to finalize it.

One question I would have is, is it possible to isolate a piece of track, such as at a depot or industry, so that it can be connected to the Signal Research system, or to a local throttle -- or would that show the block as occupied and tie up the railroad?
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Yes you can. What you need to do is wire the area through a 'power Switch" to route the power to the controller you would like to use. Once I order my third block module from them (I have two running at this time) I will be doing something very similar. I will have a yard area that I will toggle to local control (not with the RM) and when I want the trains to leave you align your turnouts to the yard to let the RM system know that you would like to route power to it and then run the train our of the yard and onto the main train under RM control. If you email Dave at Signal Research a sketch explaining what you want to do he will help you make it correct. Dave is very receptive to people that have done their homework and give a first go on how to wire and program the system. He will then check to make sure it is right. They are very busy working on the new systems and are willing to help those that help themselves and do a little research. This is how I made sure I was going to program my layout correctly and also have the wiring to the turnout feedback correct.

Hope this helps,
Keith
klwinternet @ houston . rr . com

[dknelson]

thanks Keith this is indeed helpful
If anyone else is following this thread the signal research website is very informative and extensive
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Dave et al,

I have posted two quicktime movies on my web site.
They are large files ~500k each and they load when you go to the page.
The quality is not great but once I get my trains up and running again I will retake with better light.

The three trains are being controlled by the RoadMaster system (just one throttle). The layout is Z-Scale.

Please visit www.pobox.com/~klwebb and follow the links to Train layout and then Movies.

Keith

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by klwebb

Russ,

I have mine up and running and it is working great. I purchased mine for zscale. Please email me directly if you have specfic questions. I will try to get back with you by Sunday. email me at klwinternet @ houston . rr . com remove the spaces in the email. Please let me know if you have highspeed internet access. If you do I can possible email you a 10 meg movie file showing 3 trains running at once along with a couple of photos.

I love my Roadmaster. It took me a long time to purchase one. Thought the price was a bit high but it was definately the cheaper way for me to go with Z-scale.

Talk to you later,
Keith