signal system

[engineh23]

I'm nearing the point on my layout where I will be ready to install signals. I'm looking for recommendations on what system to use for signals. My layout is DCC. My layout is approximately 20' by 10'. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[7j43k]

I recommend the MSS system:

 

http://www.free-mo.org/node/94

 

It works beautifully (if installed correctly) and doesn't need a computer or resistor wheelsets.

 

 

Ed

[NP01]

Is your desire that signals operate based on switch positions and occupancy of blocks automatically? Have you already separated your track work into blocks? What is your DCC system?

[G Paine]

At Boothbay Railway Village, we are nearing completion of a signals system. We decided to have a system independant from the DCC system. Thay way if there is a problem with signals, we can still run trains. If there is a problem with DCC, we will not gve to be concerned that the signals system is a contributing factor. We are using infared detectors for train detection.

[RR_Mel]

I operate dual mode DC & DCC and isolated IR detection is a must for me also.  I originally went with a Paisley circuit that worked very good.  I’m currently replacing it with a homebrew Arduino powered system for more custom Mel options.

 

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.

[richhotrain]

NP01

Is your desire that signals operate based on switch positions and occupancy of blocks automatically? Have you already separated your track work into blocks? What is your DCC system?

 

Yep, these are all good and important question. Signaling is all about how you want to operate your layout.

Rich

[MisterBeasley]

richhotrain

 

 

NP01

Is your desire that signals operate based on switch positions and occupancy of blocks automatically? Have you already separated your track work into blocks? What is your DCC system?

 

 

 

 

Yep, these are all good and important question. Signaling is all about how you want to operate your layout.

 

Rich

 

I agree.  I think we all love signals.  I have quite a few, but they are all just turnout position indicators.  For me, that's sufficient.  The lights change and give me, anyway, useful information.  I operate the layout myself and it's a pretty simple track plan, so prototypical signals would be overkill and more complex than what I'm interested in doing right now.

As we always say, though, it's your railroad, so build the signal system that makes you happy.

[dinwitty]

The Fre-Mo looks practical, but I will stick with the Digitrax system, with JMRI. There are other systems out there but decide on a system and stick with it, depending on what concepts you want to use for signaling and how complex/simple you are going to get. Early issues of Model Railroader Linn Westcott had a full series on detection and signals but this is technically old hat for today but the concepts remain the same. There are some modeling books on electronics which include signals etc, it will be good to read up on signalling in general and MR had a recent series on signals and computers. I am going all out because I have multiple railroads and need a system to deal with differrent head styles which include N&W position light, target and standard 3 light. I have working targets now for testing using the Digitrax system/JMRI. using 2 color red/Green LEDS. very cool.

[peahrens]

I added some small red/green dwarf signals at my mainline turnouts as visual position indicators, controlled by Tortoise contacts.  A fun partial addition.

I'm glad you reminded me of this "project" to improve my layout.  I've caught up on loco DCC conversions and pulled out my folder on signals to see what I had gravitated to when I looked at approaches a while ago. 

I am leaning toward a Logic Rail Technologies approach on my DCC layout.  It requires adding sensors, photo or IR.  The Signal Animator I was looking at is not fully prototypical IIRC, changing color when the loco enters and leaves the block, then a yellow for awhile on a delay, or something like that.  Take a look at the Signal Animator and the Block Animator to see the differences. 

https://www.logicrailtech.com/

Let us know what you conclude.  I am interested in my alternatives and may make this my next significant project for the year.

[doctorwayne]

Probably everything a modeller would ever need to know about railroad signalling, prototype and model, can be found starting in the December 2015 issue of RMC.  This series, by Dr. Bruce Chubb, explains prototype signalling of all variations and also deals with replicating any of them in model form.  The articles are in intermittent issues, and Part XV will be in the May 2017 issue.

I'm not especially interested in a full signal system myself, and my layout is currently "dark".  I do eventually want to add train order signals at three points, though.

Wayne

[BroadwayLion]

LIONS like signals. Railroads use both blocvk signals and home signals.

Block Signals operate automatically according to the position of the train. Layout of LION has 19 miles of track, need for such signals is obvious. LION uses magnetic reeds imbedded in the track, the trains have magnets undert them to trip the signals.

Here is relay room of LION:

 

Home or interlocking signals on the otherhand are controlled from the tower interlocking plant. You could just tie these signals to your turnouts, but that is not prottypical. You need to have separate levers for the tracks and for the signals. The NORMAL position for such signals is RED. Once the plant is aligned, the signal lever can be reversed, and it will turn either Green or Amber depending on the arangement of the track points.

 

Here is interlocking machine of LION:

 

Signals are FUN! Layout of LION is fully automated, no throttles, no reversing switches, no DCC, no Computers. Just the Tower.

 

ROAR

[engineh23]

My layout is almost completely separated into blocks. I'd like my signals to work on blocks &, if not too complex to do, also occupancy. My sytem is the Zephyr from Digitrax.

[NP01]

Good info. How do you control your switches? Assuming you have electronic control (like a tortoise or atlas switch machine), you have a couple of options:

(1) Go all out. Purchase a BDL168 to detect track occupancy and a SE8C to drive signals. One of 8 channels on the SE8C or a DS64 to drive switches. All devices are connected on the digitrax loconet bus (6c telephone wire) and then to a computer running (free) JMRI via a Digitrax PR3. Programming each signal head in JMRI will be needed ... it is on a graphical interface with if/then statements, but is tedious and requires a lot of thought. 

This will allow you to come up with your own signaling rules or follow a prototyper to truly reflect status based on switch settings and occupancy of blocks.

(2) Go simpler with an out if the box signaling system like Atlas or RRCircuits (I believe) which has optical detection and easier setup but will not be able to configure. These are "animator" systems that look cool but work based on timing or somethhing like that to change aspects. 

(3) Go even simpler by simply driving signals with switch positions. Signals here are only switch position indicators. Many people are satisfied with this system ... and its is really very simple to do With the extra contacts on the tortoise or other switch machines. 

All three will work with the Zephyr Xtra. My setup is (1), with a Zephyr Xtra. For this option though, Digitrax is the only company that provides all the pieces ... and I like their products. Reading instructions ... well, you got to read a lot!

There are more complications, but these are the basics. 

Happy to help more. 

NP.