Occupied track detection sensors wanted

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

What commercially available track detection sensors are available?

I have some hidden trackage where I’d like to know if it’s occupied or not while running. I’m thinking of some LED’s on the fascia that light up when the train passes over that section of track then go out when it passes.

Is there anything like this?

-G-

2

Lateral G,

If you don’t mind building some from available parts, there is a very easy-to-follow article in the November 2006 issue of the NMRA Scale Rails magazine. It’s called the Ten Minute Train detector. I built 6 such circuits for exactly the same application - hidden trackage. The cost is minimal, but it does take a bit longer than ten minutes to build each circuit. I am, by no means, an electronics guy, but I was able to build these things without much trouble. The detection device is a photo-cell between the rails with a lamp overhead. When a train passes over the photo-cell, it blocks the light and activates the circuit - which lights a small LED on the control panel. If you can’t locate the Scale Rails article, send me a PM, or you are welcome to call my office and ask me for my e-mail address. My office phone is (530) 345 7425.

If you want to buy a ready-made circuit, Circuitron has a board that does the same thing. It supports four detectors, also photo-cells. Check their web site for the details.

Regardless of which way you might go, the installation will take the same amount of time.

Hope to hear from you.

The Other Chip

3

Check out this site too. Rob provides the circuits and has very reasonable terms on PC boards too. He shows how to build several different circuits.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#Light

Karl

4

Check on eBay under HO scale. There is, or was, a seller who has a simple detection board that will do what you are looking for, at $7 each. I have one. They are already built and you can add an LED.

5

Thanks for the input guys…

I will start investigating.

-G-

6

I believe the name of that seller that I mentioned in my previous post is santafeham and presently he shows no items listed. I have him listed as one of my favorite sellers.