I am in the process of building a 8X12’ N-scale layout in my spare bedroom. This will be my first layout to use DCC and I would also like to signal it with the Digitrax / RR&co components/software. I am using peco insulfrog switches and would also like some suggestions on how to incorporate switch positions.
I just need an explanation on what Digitrax components I need to work with the RR&co software to run the signals.
Some info on the layout track plan:
the main focal point of the layout is a dual track main crossing a single track line in a small midwestern town. There is a connection beween the two lines on one end of the dimond by a single connecting line. Both lines have a section on the opposite side of the layout with small staging yards for both lines.
Basically, I want to have signaling and detection for the diamond, as well as indications for divirging routes etc.
Plea help me make some sense of these optional components!
BDL168 - This provides the ‘detection’ for your signal system. This status information can be ‘read’ over the Loconet by software(RR&Co is one).
SE8C - This provides the ‘driver’ to light the signals, and operate switch machines. It really makes no difference if you have Electofrog or Insulfrog turnouts. What does matter with the SE8C is that you have low current drain ‘stall’ motors like the Tortoise. The ‘twin-coil’ switch motors will burn out the SE8C. The SE8C gets ‘instructions’ over the Loconet from the software and changes the signal indications and switch machine positions. You can manually control it from the computer, or automate it.
Software - RR&Co will work just fine - However it is very expensive. You can download ‘Panel Pro’ from JMRI for free, and build your own panel/logic…Here is the URL for JMRI:
No matter what signal logic/signals you use, be prepared to spend some serious money. I have close to $500 of stuff waiting to be installed after i get the current scenery make-over completed. This just gets me 8 blocks of APB signalling!
You can also use Team Digital DBD2’s and SIC24’s. They will work with Digitrax as well as other DCC systems, so I assume RR&Co also supports them.
However, JMRI, as Jim noted, is less expensive (Free!) and it’s PanelPro application will do the signalling you described plus much more. And, Team Digital has written DecoderPro definition files so programming their devices is as easy as making on-screen selections.
Signalling is definitely not cheap, but it’s hard to do better than the SE8C. In N scale you are lucky - there is a company making glue-on plastic heads that go over the Digitrax signal masts and turn them into passable signals. Otherwsie, you are looking at stuff from companies like NJ International and expect to pay $25-$30 per signal. The SE8C drives up to 32 signal heads and can be had for $100 street price. That’s an incredible deal on control electronics - just the signals it then controls will run the big bucks of this project.
What the SE8C controls precisely is 8 ‘security elements’ which is a turnout, the dual-head facing signal, and a single-head signal on each facing route. The SE8C provides the on-board elecronics to operate the signal heads, run the switch motor (if you use Tortoises), and provides an input to conect a block detector to detect occupency of the controlled section. This is used to control interlockings so you don’t throw the switch under a movign train. It also has an additional input that can be used for a local pushbutton to throw the switch.
The block detection inputs on the SE8C are designed to be used with the BD4 block detectors The BD4 provieds 4 detection sections, so to fuly use the SE8C’s inputs you need 2 of them.
The rest of the blocks on your layout can be detected with the BDL-168. This provides 16 blocks of detection.