Ok, well, as some of you may know, I have recently switched to N scale. I am now in the planing stages of a new layout. What I really wanted was a working signal system. I was looking at the Atlas N scale signal system, but kinda got confused…
My new layout will be a around the room oval, well, so far anyways. It will be double and triple track, with a yard on one side. I will use kato unitrack, code 80.
Now for the signal system, the web site says I need blocks. Now, I know what that is, but not sure how to wire them. Kato has what they call terminal unijoiners (rail joiners with wires sticking out). I assume I need one power point per block, since thy are all isolated. They all would feed into a “main wire” that goes around a layout. Thats as far as I got.
I don’t really understand how to wire the block detectors. Not really much info on the atlas web site on that. There is a lot of info elsewhere, but it is a little overwhelming. lol. Can someone explain all this?? Thanks!
The Atlas system is pretty straight forward if you have what you say is around the room, multiple tracks.
Since Atlas hasn’t got a good instruction manual I would suggest going to CustomSignals.com for more information. They worked with Atlas on these signal systems. Terry has, on his web site, quite an extensive wiring plan for most situations. In your case he specifically shows diagrams for the multiple main lines that your are talking about. The system finallyy becomes somewhat expensive but from what I have installed and worked with the results look good. Maybe not able to hook to RR&Co. but for most people it is a relative simple system to install and seems quite fool proof at first glance…
The Atlas system is pretty straight forward if you have what you say is around the room, multiple tracks.
Since Atlas hasn’t got a good instruction manual I would suggest going to CustomSignals.com for more information. They worked with Atlas on these signal systems. Terry has, on his web site, quite an extensive wiring plan for most situations. In your case he specifically shows diagrams for the multiple main lines that your are talking about. The system finallyy becomes somewhat expensive but from what I have installed and worked with the results look good. Maybe not able to hook to RR&Co. but for most people it is a relative simple system to install and seems quite fool proof at first glance…
By the way the Atlas block detectors won’t work with DCC. Use the NEC DB-20 instead.
dallee (dallee.com) has current flow detectors that are used to create the blocks needed for signal detection. one wire of the feeder going to the block is passed through the detectors coil and will detect the current drawn by a moving loco. there is a dpdt relay on the module that is energized when the current flow is detected. i have several of the detectors on order now for my layouts (n) signal system along with other relays that i have from radio shack. since i’m not using the detectors for occupancy detection i can use the detectors in short blocks just to activate the signals. my signals are from nj international. i have placed the detectors considering max train length so that a signal will not turn yellow until the train is 2 or 3 blocks past it. my circuits are designed and i’m just waiting for parts to arrive. my layout is also an around the walls type and will eventually be two levels.
I’m glad someone is asking these questions. I’m wanting to add signals to my layout as well & with no experience, I’m a bit intimidated. I’m interested in adding signals not to the entire layout, BUT to the points of interest that’s more visible / practical. I would hate to jump in blindly, I guess my question would be on how many detector boards would be needed ( which only I can answer ) but more importantly, how many signals would each detector board operate.
since the dallee detectors only operate when they detect the current drawn by a loco the relay will go back to it’s resting position when the loco exits the block even though the train hasn’t completely passed the signal. therefore extra relays must be used in order to keep the signal red until the train gets far enough from it. i am only placing signals at specific points of intrest (at the entrance and exit of my yard, passing siding and entrance to my helix). the detector blocks are only going to be about a foot long each, just enough to trigger the module. one detector will trigger maybe 3 signals depending on direction of travel and route selected. any other functions will be performed by other relays to control the lights. direction control and route indication. i’m planning on having about 12 signals with about 10 control blocks. i’m operating with digitrax dcc and was thinking about their signal system but as a retired signal maintainer i decided to design my own similar to the system that i worked on.
First of all, what you want should be possible. Take a look at http://www.danook.com/crandic/Welcome.html for videos of an N scale layout with searchlights and working semaphores. The first thing you will need to ask yourself is what do you want the signals to do? Are they just for show (they are green if the block being protected is not occupied and red if it is)? Are you interested in operations, so the signals act realistically for the protototype you are modeling (or free-lancing)? The answers to these questions drive the next set of questions about how to implement what you want. There are several solutions on the market, ranging from simple to complex, kits to off the shelf. The expense tends to be related to the complexity.
In addition to Dallee, several others that you might want to look into are Dcc-bitswitch, C/MRI, and Digitrax. You did not say if you were using DCC or not. All three of these work in either a DC or DCC environment. There are more solutions if you are DCC. Are you willing to use a computer to set the signals (based on track detection, turnout positions, and other inputs)? If so, you might want to look at jmri.sourceforge.net. It is open source software for running model railroads.
To answer your specific question about how to wire up tracks, the first thing is to determine where the detection blocks are. Look at your trackplan and decide which tracks you want protected by signals. Typically, this will be the main and passing sidings (there are several good books on the market by Bruce Chubb, Tony Koester, John Armstrong and others that may help). Often, industry sidings are not detected. Then, each OS section will be in a detection block and each straight section between OS sections will be in a single block or broken into multiple blocks (depending upon length). Creating blocks is simple.
Just to clarify, I just wanted the signals to turn red as the train enters the block, then yellow, then green, likethey do in real life. I don’t need occupancy detection or anything.
All of your replies have been very helpful, it is a little less intimidating now. Thanks.
Ok, well I just found a real easy way to set up blocks with the unitrack system.
What I will do it from my power pack ( Digitrax zephyr ), hook up a power bus made entierly of 3 way spliiters end to end. Becuase they are end to end, one of the 3-way is taken. I will use one more output for a power feed to each block, and the other remaining output for any turnouts and accesories. If a block is long, I may throw in a regular extention cord in the middle.
I’m looking at Logic Rail Technologies www.logicrailtech.com. They have two systems: one that is very prototypical using the block system and one that fakes it using optical sensors that can be set up to 30 seconds to allow a train to get to the next block. I’m working in HO DCC. These systems will work for any scale. The trick is to keep your signals from similar suppliers like Tomar so you don’t mix anode and cathode type signals on the same circuit board. Logic Tech has very comprehensive manuals on their site to explain everything.
There is also an excellent article on the basics of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) at www.ctcparts.com.
