Signals are mounted and the signal control panel is being installed underneath the layout.
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What is in the panel? Are those just relays or relays with timers? layout looks good.
Dale H
Looking good Tom
Originally Posted by Dale H:
What is in the panel? Are those just relays or relays with timers? layout looks good.
Dale H
Dale, there are no timers. All of the signals are controlled by block occupancy and/or turnout position. It is a fully functional automatic block signal system.
Tom,
nice looking board for the control boards. Do the boards operate when the train passes the signal (switch) or do the have to get over the switch and into the next block before they are actuated?
That is my problem, I have a few I want to drop to red when passing the signal at a switch. I have thought about using an infared detection for just the "OS" of the switch.
Do you have a "Tumble Down" board?
The signals look great!
Dale, the boards are Atlas 21st Centary Signal system with the enhanced Custom Siganls controll boards which help to make a very protipical signal system. They are very cool. Looks like the double and tripleheaded signals are also Custom Signal products. http://www.customsignals.com/
Dan
Dan, as soon as the train passes the signal, it drops to display a Stop indication, and remains at Stop until the train passes out of the block governed by that signal. As the train leaves blocks one at a time, the signal will go to yellow when the rear of the train is in the next block, and then green when the rear of the train is in the second block.
Part of the system is set so that all opposing signals go to Stop as far as the next point an opposing train could enter that track. Part are set to just "push a yellow and a red" signal ahead of the train. This railroad is not huge and linear. You can make better use of the tumble down feature when you have a whole-basement railroad with longer distances between sidings or other entry points. As it is, there are a lot of short blocks because of the two wyes and the auxiliary passenger main track. So, where feasible, it tumbles down (also referred to as automatic permissive block system).
To make this happen on a model railroad, you have to insulate each signal block with an insulated joiner on the outer rail. The Custom Signals signal control boards are connected to each other, so they read the occupancy as the train moves from block to block. They are also connected to the switch motors so they read the turnout positions. And they are also connected to each signal by clip connectors similar to what is on the end of a telephone cord.
You must divide your main track into at least four blocks to make it work. It's a little bit of effort, a little bit of money, but it is a nice feature to have. I did not have room for a turntable and roundhouse, or a big bridge, so I decided to have a functional block signal system.
Tom,
Nice job so far. I am also using the same system and it works great. Terry at customsignals helps a lot. At first, the instructions were a little scary. Reading it a few times helps. You've just motivated me to do more!
Cesar
