I model the KCS in the 1980s and this part of the KCS system was operated by ABS signals. I will need to develop a signal system for my layout. I understand basic electronics and computer programing, but I am looking for a “plug & play” signal system. I have Digitrax Chief (radio). I have a computer interface with my layout and use Decoder Pro. I have looked at the Atlas Signal System and the Digitrax Signal System. Anyone have any experience in doing this?
JIM
I think you will find that the Digitrax and Atlas systems are completely different. In my opinion when you say “plug and play” then I would take a good look at the Atlas system. I know the signal heads may not be what you want, but the system allows you with some minor work to adapt the SBC boards for single target and other types of signal heads. The Digitrax system is tied into the whole Loconet Digitrax system. It is very good but requires alot of planning and hook up. I went with the Atlas system and I have been quite happy. It does most things that I want without alot of fuss. I am working around with connecting it so that you can at least use a computer display like Panel Pro to show where things are.
Hope this helps
Dick Foster
What do you want your signals to do? Is it important that they turn red as a train passes, go to yellow after a while and finally back to green? Do they need to work in concert with the control system to slow or stop trains? How many signals do you plan on having?
Or, do you want to create the illusion of a signal system? To me, creating the illusion is a lot of what model railroading is about. So, I just wire up signals to turnouts, and use them as turnout-position indicators. They go back and forth between green and red, and if I don’t obey the signals, I’m likely to end up with a derailment, at least from the frog side.
Turnout-indicator signals are simple to implement, and require nothing more complicated than a cheap relay wired in parallel with your switch machine. If you’re using Tortoises, the contact closures you need are already part of the switch machine, so all you need is wires.
I need signals to grant permission to an operator to enter a block. I thought of somthing as simple as a target signal with a bi-color led controled by the dispatcher. Green for go (enter the block) and red for stop (do not enter).
On my previous layout I wired some dawarf signals to Tortise contacts to indicate which direction the switch points were thrown. On the new layout most of the turnouts will be hand thrown.
JIM
MisterBeasley - How would you implement turnout indicators for atlas switches? I’m using a Digitrax DS-52 stationary decoder to control the switches.
Ken
I’d suggest you take a look at the SIGM10 Automatic Signal Controller by CML Electronics (http://www.cmlelectronics.co.uk/). This has been a great system for me - it interfaces seamlesly with my Digitrax Chief system as well as RR&Co. Traincontroller (I operate a lot of my layout with software) and will drive 1, 2 or 3 light signals (I use Tomar). It comes with software to set up the stand alone signal board logic (all you need is some form of block occupancy detection) - OR - you can drive the boards (I use 2 for a total of 20 signals) from either hardware (contacts, switches, etc.) or external software (JMR, RR&Co., etc.). Check it out.
Atlas turnouts don’t come with contacts, so you would need something else to do the job. Atlas makes a relay box, but at kind of a high price. They also make “deluxe” under-table switch machines that both throw the turnout and provide contact closure. If these work on your layout, they’re not a bad idea.
For some of my turnouts, I bought some small latching relays. These function just like switch machines, but they throw contacts instead. You can see them at www.demarelectronics.com. I’ve seen them cheaper elsewhere, but they weren’t available the last time I looked. Since these are double-pole, double-throw contacts, I used one side for the signal and the other side for LED indicators on my control panel.
The relays I bought were DC-only, so I drive them with a Capacitive Discharge circuit, along with my twin-coil switch machines. They won’t work on AC. Also, unlike the switch machines, these relays are polarity sensitive, so you have to be aware of that when you wire them. I just connect them in parallel with the switch machines, so that when I throw the turnout, I throw the relay at the same time.