turnout identification

[wickman]

Hi folks
I've been mulling over a few ideas for some way of indicating which
turnout is programmed with which number to throw it. I'm of course
throwing the turnouts via tortoise switches controlled by the ds64
stationary decoder then thrown with the assigned number through the
dt400 hand controler.I want to be able to glance at the turnout  that the engine is waiting at and see the number to be thrown. I'm thinking maybe a mile marker next to the
turnout on a stick ( flat board) any other suggestions?

[GunpowderRy]

What era are you modelling?  I think that might offer some approaches you can use too...

[wickman]

I'm freelance modeling but I guess it could be considered the transition era.

[nbrodar]

Prototype power turnouts have their ID number painted on the switch machine.  You might want to try something similar.

Nick

[Anonymous]

    I had the same problem when wiring for DCC, so I took a different approach.  It's designed now that each turnout has a SPDT in front of it mounted on the side of the layout, or in a control box in yards.  Most turnouts that aren't in a yard feed off of a single power pack, and an individual one for yards.

[jbinkley60]

I am struggling with the same thing.  I am thinking of instead of worrying about the turnout identification to identify the routes.  So for a yard that had multiple tracks and routes, label each track (or switch leg) with the routes that correspond to that track. Thus at a glance you could see that route 1 goes across switches x, y and z whereas route 2 goes across x,y, a and b.  I was thinking of labeling the panel but the challenge there would be changes.  I was also thinking of cards with pictures for each route.  They could be stored in the computer and then reprinted when changes occur.

 

[wickman]

Nick that would work great for atlas switch machines but I'm using the tortoise switch machines which are below bench

Prototype power turnouts have their ID number painted on the switch machine.  You might want to try something similar.

Nick

[nbrodar]

If it's visilbe enough, how about laying the marker down next to the turnout, like a power switch machine, rather then sticking it upright like a mile post.

Or maybe a relay shed near the turnout, with the ID number on it.

Nick

[bhawk]

Paint a small track schematic on the fascia with the turnout's numbered. You can use any numbering sequence that you want which will not conflict with the addresses for your loco's.

[claycts]

If it's visilbe enough, how about laying the marker down next to the turnout, like a power switch machine, rather then sticking it upright like a mile post.

Or maybe a relay shed near the turnout, with the ID number on it.

Nick

Nick that is a great idea! I have the same problem with some of the tunouts 6 or 8 FEET away from the operator. I used a printed out copy of the track plan (1"=1') and ran a bicolor led from the DS52 to the panels. Red is divert, Green is normal. Some of my operators are over 70 years old so I need BIG numbers and with the relay cabinet you can do that. Nice idea.

[MisterBeasley]

Ah HA!  Another light goes on.  A relay box would also make a good marker for an uncoupler magnet.  Thanks, Nick.