Hi. Has anyone purchased and is using the Atlas Signal board (#70000046) for your signals ? Do you like it? Do you find it easy to operate signals either manually or automatically? I welcome any and all comments. Thanks. JRP
Bumping your post, I’d like to know the answer to that too.
Come on guys. None of you use Atlas signal system?
So I can’t speak personally about the Atlas system but there is a guy I have met who is using it and likes it. He has posts occasionally on The Train Exchange Facebook page. I have messaged with him about the Atlas system and he told me it does exactly what he wants and seems to have a lot of capabilities he is not using. He also said it will work with other manufacturers signals too, as he had a couple of custom signals made and they work fine. I am planning to use the Atlas signals on my layout, just not the controller.
Thanks Morpar, that’s a start.
I speculated in another thread that there are only 100 or 200 regular posters in the forum, but there are at least 10 times as many lurkers. Lurkers this is your chance to speak up. [yeah]
I was sitting on this one for a little while. I did not think I had the infomation the OP was looking for.
I started installing on Feb. 10, 2007 with what I will now call the ‘first generation’ of Atlas HO scale Signal System. The signal control board (SCB) (copyright 2006) #234, a block detector board (BDB) #233 plus the Type G target head.
Then Atlas dropped the ball and shut down the HO scale system. I talked to Reps. at train shows.
So there I was 1/8 of the layout was protected by signals.
They work great, on GREEN the Engineer will enter the block and the light goes to RED and when the train clears that block the light goes to YELLOW for a set time then clears to GREEN. If the powered loco leaves that block and there are no resistor wheel sets or current using cars in that train that block will go to YELLOW then go to GREEN. This you do not want.
I needed to add Jay-Bee resistor wheel sets or SM resistors to some rolling stock axles.
All lights being tripped automatically by the train, I do not use manual tripping.
Now Atlas has brought out (copyright 2018 v2.5 this info. is on the SCB) what I will call the ‘second generation’ starter kit #70000142. Which I have been stocking up on since Oct.19, 2019. It includes #70 000 076 signal, #70 000 046 signal control board and a cable with quick start guide (no quick start guide came in any of the packages). You do need to supply a block detector of your choice.
I have not dep
Well at least we got some information on the system. I appreciate your response and your updates on what you have done so far. For the small number of signals I plan to install (maybe 3), I should be able to operate them easily with this system.
Thank you.
I do think Atlas did or is coming out with the Pennsy position light with the 7 lights in HO but I have yet to see them at any hobby shop or train show.
I do like my signals with the RED-YELLOW-GREEN aspects.
i’m puzzled by this unit. not sure diagrams in the manual clearly explain all the connectios to the board. looks like it is designed to interface to Atlas signals using specific cable. the pinouts for a red, yellow and green LEDs aren’t described
it’s not clear to me what the connection on J5 are for, presumably at least 3 block occupancy inputs
it also looks like it only operates on a single block occupancy input so it turns on the red LED when the block is occupied and only turns on the yellow LED for 8 seconds before turning on the green LED
can anyone explain?
Greg the link in your post above is Atlas’s 19 page Basic Operation Manual, this must be what they call there Quick Start Manual. There is also a 24 page Advanced Signal Guide. I have not looked at either one in any depth. Maybe you will find more info. in the 24 page ASG.
I’ll check back tonight.
the diagram on pg 9 of the Advanced Signal Guide summarizes the components and connections of the system. took me a while to understand the various options, which includes simulating an APPROACH indication by simply turning on the yellow LED for 8 seconds after turning the red LED off and before turning on the green LED.
the primary input from the block detector goes to the Din pin on the J5 connector which has several other outputs for panels.
an RJ45 connector is for the signal. there’s a cable from Atlas to connect an Atlas signal to the board. you’d need to make you own cable for non-Atlas signals. while the rj-45 connector is 8-conductors, and 4-conductor rj-11 connector can be used for the 3 LEDS and a common (see table 3)
in case you don’t know
- STOP (red) is indicated when the block is occupied
- APPROACH (yellow) is indicated when the next block is occupied
- CLEAR (green) is indicated when both blocks are unoccupied
the board is designed to be used with other boards with rj-11 connections between them (J1 and J2) so a board knows the next block is occupied to indicate APPROACH. I didn’t see a pinout for that connection to know how to wire it directly to a block detector with the expense of another Atlas board, but am guessing it’s just 2 pins, the block dector output and ground
i didn’t see any discussion accounting for open switches which should result in a STOP indication.
They also describe using 2 boards, one in each direction (they could have designed a board to support at least 2 signals)
it’s interesting to see how by various commercial products are designed and the capability/limitations of those products
My suggestion is to call Atlas 908-687-0880 and when you get the operator ask to speak to the person in charge of the Atlas signal system (Yes, there IS a dedicated person at Atlas who is in charge of this area) and ask your questions. I know the guy and I’m sure he would be helpful to answer your questions. However, I would wait a week as I know everyone (including him) are preparing for the Amherst Train Show.
Good luck!
Neal
I looked at the Atlas system years ago, my opinion, limited and too exspensive.
Just my opinion, but on a model railroad it makes more sense to put the signaling emphasises on interlocking siginals (turnuouts and junctions) rather than block signals.
How many blocks does the typical layout have without a turnout or group of turnouts that would require an interlocking in real life?
Back in the early days of the hobby, many great electronics minds (Chubb, Ravenscroft, Mallery to name a few) suggested this approach and published lots of designs for such systems.
Interlocking signals respond to both turnout position and detection and are “absolute” signals - trains must stop for red over red indications.
Block signals are not always “absolute” and simply control the speed and spacing of trains following each other.
AGAIN, just my opinion, but too many modelers go to far into the weeds worring about some obscure singal practice of the railroad they model rather than focus on the core of a working system that would make sense on a model layout.
The problem is interlocking signals cannot be built with “plug and play” modules without those modules being complex, expensive and having a high learning curve.
On the other hand, simply learning how signals work, then buiding your own signal system to fit your track plan, using Arduino, computer systems, relays, or whatever, makes more sense and will cost less.
Sheldon
I think it depends on how much ‘realism’ one wants on their layout and what their goal is with them. Are they operating or are they looking to have trains run with some type of electronic system controlling it?
I bring this up as I host operating sessions with a crew of 6. I have signals at interlocking areas and the signals are controlled manually and with a relay that overrides the rotary switch when there’s a switch thrown against the signal. Tower operators in the day (and maybe now) would control signals as trains entered the next block. That’s what I do. My relays are very inexpensive (Atlas relays) and I have my signals hooked up to them and my rotary switch. This system works well for my layout, and is a reminder to the dispatcher (usually me) that someone forgot to normalize the turnout in the next block.
OK, Neal, I guess I agree and it sounds like you have a simple and practical system. Are you running DCC?
I am just starting a new layout, but have designed and used before the system I will use. I will have the option to operate much like you do, or to have a CTC dispatcher for the whole mainline.
I run DC, but with an advance cab control system and wireless throttles, so there are not “block toggles” in the traditional sense.
My signals do not require manual input, they respond correctly to three inputs:
ONE-Cab assignments performed at the dispatch panel or at local tower panels - these are done with pushbuttons, not toggles, and many blocks are powered automaticly based on turnout position.
TWO-Turnout route selection. Routes are are controlled by pushbuttons that are duplicated at both tower panels and the CTC panel. One button selects a whole route thru the interlocking and normalizes all other turnouts in that interlocking not effected by that route.
THREE-Dectection. Detection sets a given route
Sheldon,
I do run DCC. I have a two track main with two tracks that go to and from the freight yard and my lower level via a helix. While the signals are controlled manually at my interlockings, there is an override with the relay if the turnout is against the route. On the mainline I have a few areas when the signal is controlled by the turnout position. The layout is mid-sized (20’ x 20’) on two levels. Works well and op sessions are enjoyable.
I don’t want to get too dependent on automation (CTC or auto block control), although I did have the opportunity to get a custom made signal system for my layout.
Good luck with your layout!
Neal
Well just to be clear, my system does not automate train movements, it just works like a real CTC or tower authority system, but the CTC is not the full blown version, it is simplified.
Under CTC operations the dispatcher gives all mainline train permissions, operators only have to control the speed and direction of their train, they do not assign control sections (electrical blocks, not signal blocks) to their throttles or throw turnouts. Engineers need only to obey the signals. BUT, since it is DC, it is cleverly wired so that if they run a red/red signal, their train just stops - it never runs into someone else’s control.
Under local tower operation mode, the train crews can be their own tower operators and then at each interlocking they do assign control sections to their throttles and select turnout routes. This typically requires only pushing two or three buttons and there is no need for them to relinquish control of prior sections or reset prior routes - the next crew will be doing that right behind them.
While all this happens signals indicate route permissions and occupancy automaticly.
Sheldon
I think the Atlas system would work well for me.
Having mainline signals change as the train passes would be a nice feature, even if it has nothing to do with actually controlling train movement.
Most of my signals are just there to show turnout position.
-Kevin
A simple system like that can be done for considerably less cost than the Atlas system.
Sheldon
My interest in signals is marginal at best, and since I intend to run the layout alone, it is completely unnecessary.
However… I did buy these nifty signals… And signal bridges…
-Photographs by Kevin Parson
If I am ever going to use one for anything except turnout position, it will need to be something that requires minimal effort to install.
I might choose Atlas when the time comes… Or… I might just hook them up to toggle switches and only illuminate them for photographs.
-Kevin