I have a large basement empire layout in HO. I have around 200 turnouts which will have Tortoise switch machine mounted to them with team digital smd 8 switch machine drivers so that I can throw the turnouts from anywhere around the layout. The layout is dcc and I am using digitrax with dt 400r radio throttles. My problem is knowing what number the turnout is. I want to be able to throw the turnout while following my trains from anywhere. Where or how would I place the number so that I know which turnout it is Thanks.
I number mine and use routes. I only have around 60 but I use a DT400 and wireless. I use a cheat sheet like this.
The yellow Sxx are the switch numbers and the green Rxxx are the route numbers. I try to use the routes and rarely use the direct switch numbers.
Thanks for the reply Jeff. My problem is that if I number the turnout at a control panel type setup when I am following my trains like at a passing siding and I want to throw the turnout using the throttle i have a hard time remembering the number of that turnout and I am not anywhere near the control panel to see the number for that turnout or route.
WOW! 200! [:O] I’m glad I’m not doing your maintenance! [}:)]
Meanwhile, back at the questions.
Numbering.
- Work out where the tower is… or a theoretical position.
- Everything going from left to right past that position is nominated as ****bound and everything ging the other way id nominated as ****bound. (If you have the luxury of any other points of the compass do not add any **** bounds but figure out whether that route is part of one or other of the two you have). This is based on what we do on the rail in the UK… I expect that US practice is pretty much the same… or was BC… “Before Computers”.
- If you had signals everything ****bound is numbered even numbers and the other way gets the rest.
- You have a choice. Either everything going **** sees rising numbers or it sees descending numbers. The other way will be the opposite NOT the same. (So Eastbound may get rising numbers and then West bound will get falling numbers)
- If you have two towers (Like Tolkein) each tower gets a letter prefix and everything gets numbered the same with the appropriate prefix. Each tower can have its own pattern of the above including what it regards as the direction trains are going in.
- To make life more simple use the same numbering for switches - in sequence - as for signals.
- SO… working left to right along the “frame” in the tower… We’ll as
Easy three-step solution:
-
At each turnout, install a mile marker, whistle post, number board on a signal post, whatever;
-
Number each of them with the address for that turnout;
-
Run trains and throw turnouts! [:D]
HTH,
Steve
P.S. This is not an original idea. I’ve seen it used before, and it was recently in a magazine article although I don’t recall what magazine or issue.
I have 101 turnouts on 240 yards of track,within my 24’x24’ garage loft. The Super Chief Digitrax Loconet controls only the locomotives. I have divided the layout into four Power Districts. Really,four “Switch Control Districts” with double wires to each switch from numbered probes (1-24+ 1 M)(25-48+1M)(49-72+1M)(73-96+2M) Next to the 24 double-pin junctions, is an enlarged (numbered) scale drawing of the District 24Electric+1Manual. You could use the enlarged scale drawing numbering idea, with the “advantage??” of being able to dial 1-200 for remote control switching. You save on not having the “wiring mess”, but having to dial the numbers 1-200 would be slower than using a grounded probe to touch numbers 1-200 The 1-200 could be divided up into eight or five “25-40” switch scale drawing switch districts, with easier visual recognition. With 200 switches, you probably want eight panels with each numbered to correspond to the turnouts that you wish to dial. With radio control, you don’t have to even bother with the use of tether outlets on each of the switch panel district panels. Bob
Sorry that I wasn’t clear. This isn’t my control panel. I just started with the control panel diagram that I had printed to make my panel, then I added switch and route numbers. I don’t put the switches numbers and routes on the control panel because they might change. Create your own diagram. I print this out on a piece of paper (pick the size which fits your need) and then laminate it. Then just hang or mount them where needed on your layout. If you change a switch or route number, reprint a new sheet. I find they help because it has all critical information and if I make a change, I don’t have to relabel control panels or more permanent markings.
I recently saw or read an article, (unfortunately I can’t remember where) where the owner of the layout placed a number by each turnout similar to a mile post as previously mentioned. Although not prototypical it looked pretty good. I’ll keep looking for it and if I run across it again I will let you know.
GUB
Prototype power switches have their ID number painted on the top of the machine. However, the may not be practical for you.
The easiest way is to use mile post type markers with the ID on it.
Another idea, which I use, is to place an equipment bungalow at each group of turnouts, and have the ID number or name on the bungalow. The name on the bungalow corresponds to the name on the control panel, where the turnout controls are located. The turnouts at each named location are then numbered east to west, starting with 1.
Example:
CP Greg - the turnout at the east end is Greg 1, the turnout in the middle is Greg 2, and the turnout on the west end is Greg 3.
[2c] Just my personal opinion, this is why I don’t like controlling turnouts from the DCC throttle. It’s much easier to just have a control located near the turnout. [2c]
Nick
I agree that controlling individual turnouts via DCC isn’t real exciting and could become cumbersome, especially with complicated switching. But using routes to control a series of turnouts and being able to reprogram on the fly without messing with diode matricies is where the fun begins. I can route a train anyehere in my yard by punching in a three digit number and and execute command. I can also reset the entire yard back to all turnouts in the closed position via the same thing. I didn’t think I’d like it either until I tried it. I have half of my layout with toggle switches and the other half with DCC routes. No comparision on operating enhancement. I don’t have to stand in front of the control panel. I have radio control and can throw a switch or route from across the room well in advance of an approaching train. I will likely convert the first half of my layout to DCC control and rout