Turnout direction indicators

[mikesmowers]

Good morning. I was wondering if there is a way to tell which way the turnout is pointing whthout looking close at the turnout? I am running HO scale with Atlas turnouts and some undertable (whever I can) Atlis switch machines, the ones that I cannot put under the table are also Atlas. Is there a way to have the train come back through the turnout without switching the turnout or having the train derail?
Thanks, Mike

[Anonymous]

If you were running ground throws, Caboose Industries might could help. They may still have something available, I don't know. Try um and see.

http://www.cabooseind.com/

[fwright]

The Atlas Snap Relays will power indicator lights, power frogs, etc. They do not have to be installed at the turnout site, but should be wired in parallel with the desired switch machine. The relays come with wiring instructions for various uses.

Hope this helps.
Fred W

[MisterBeasley]

I think Atlas also makes a "deluxe" under-table machine which includes relay contacts for driving indicator lights. You could use any other appropriate relay as well.

To address the "automatic" throwing of the turnout on the reverse loop, you would need some sort of detection circuit which could send a signal to the turnout. If this is a reverse loop, though, you would also need to deal with the polarity flipping issue. In DC, you need to flip the polarity of the main while the train is in the loop. In DCC, the best thing to do is get a reverser circuit and forget about the problem after that.

[scubaterry]

I don't know how much trouble you want to go to but here is what I did. The first couple of pics are an old LL non operating signal bridge. I put red/green LEDs in it and have it wired to my Peco T/O switch. It tells me position of the crossover T/Os at a glance. Green = Closed and Red = thrown.











The other pics are cheap Dwarf lights and do the same thing. Mainly for sidings and yard use. I would be happy to provide any details if you are interested. cost of the dwarfs come out to less than a buck each.
Terry[8D]

[Anonymous]

Mike - I do not know about the Atlas switch machines but I believe that the tortoise slow mo machine with a Hare II decoder can automatically detect the polarity of an oncoming train and throw the points on the turnout automatically. The Hare II also has outputs to attach lights on a control board or fascia to show the direction of the turnout.