I have a three-track hidden staging yard and I’m interested in having an IR detector to light a panel indicator, or some other method for letting me know there is a train on the track (and also when to stop the train before the turnout). I have seen a couple of IR detectors for about $30 but would like to avoid buying 6 of them to meet my needs. Any suggestions would be most helpful.
Many thanks,
Pete
Is there some way to put a mirror or mirrors so that you could “see” into the hidden space.
I ran on a layout where there were hidden tracks with IR detectors. They were a vertical detection type with one at each end. One always had to stop the train exactly right. If it was dead center in the staging track it was still not detected. Newbies never seemed to get it and we had many collisions. I always thought if the detector could sense down the entire length of the track they would have worked swell. Plus then you would only need 3.
I am considering using one of those inexpensive b & w surveilance tv cameras. The cost would appear to be less than a lot of IR devices which do have their limitations.