Signals

Signals for the siding turnout from both directions.

Add a bumper light when siding is occupied. Or an illuminated floodlight tower when cars/train is parked there

Signals for a station stop on the loops.

Rough image would help.

I highly recommend you visit Z-stuff for trains website.  We installed semaphores, targets and signal bridges this summer on our club layout.  They look great and work great.

We have 15 in total and will be adding crossing signals soon.

I used MTH Railking trackside signals -- they make a variety of them -- and GRJ's Train Presence Sensor for Insulated Track on my new layout.  They all work great together.    GRJ's stuff is available at Henning's Trains in Lansdale, PA.

Deuce posted:

So I'd like to add some bells and whistles ... well, actually light ... to my layout. Thing is, I only have one siding and three self-contained loops. What is there to signal? I thought about putting some sort of signal in front of the siding to indicate whether it was occupied or not, but other than that ... what should I do and what sort of signal should I use for the siding?

All thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are welcome.

I have a working B&O signal system I had them custom made by NJ International using there new control system I hope to complete it in 2 weeks and will post it on here

BobbyD posted:

Signals for the siding turnout from both directions.

Add a bumper light when siding is occupied. Or an illuminated floodlight tower when cars/train is parked there

Signals for a station stop on the loops.

Rough image would help.

I like  the above .... 6 signals required for in & out of siding alone and main track route. Fun stuff and not so easy to hook up.

How about a Lionel 450 signal bridge or two  https://www.tandem-associates....l_trains_450_acc.htm

Track needs to be fairly close together, not sure how it fits w fastrack if that's what you're using. 

Lionel 154

Lionel 262

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

I used MTH Railking trackside signals -- they make a variety of them -- and GRJ's Train Presence Sensor for Insulated Track on my new layout.  They all work great together.    GRJ's stuff is available at Henning's Trains in Lansdale, PA.

I am with Rocky M on this one. I have a bunch of them from my old layout I am going to re-use.

For me, I think it is next to impossible to find these anymore of these MTH signals (either single or dual head) as the BIG train shops are either always out of stock or only have a few available, like the cantilever signal bridge or the one with the white pole and black relay bottom.

Atlas ones were beautiful but are not available.

I started to invest in "CUSTOMSIGNALS" last year but they too are closing shop shortly, if not already now that it is 2018.

The hobby could use a good manufacturer of scale trackside signals.

Donald

I have a few "Custom Signal" Signals, I know they are still trying to sell the company so that it can keep going. I am hoping it lasts at least until the middle of the year so I can get the turnout controllers I need to get in order to have my signals up and running.

If you want to signal a siding for occupancy detection it requires six signals:

• an exit signal in the siding at each end
• A home signal on the main track at each end for facing-point movement over the turnout.
• An absolute signal on the main track at each end for trailing-point movement.

Most modelers merely place signals in locations where their change of aspect can be seen without actually adding train detection.  These signals automatically clear themselves on a timer after the train passes.

If you want only switch position protection, then you could do it with two opposing signals on the main track, one at each facing-point location.  They can additionally be set up to be train activated and to self-clear after a train passes, but, whenever the switch is lined for the siding, the signals will display Stop and Proceed.

I have train detection, but I also have a $3500 investment in signals, relays, and cables from Custom Signals, beautiful stuff, but it requires a lot of equipment and many insulated blocks in the track.  There's so much involved in this that there are very few model rail automatic block signal systems.  I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but am just encouraging you to think about whether you are passionate about functional block signals.  Most modelers, especially in 3-rail, do not really want train detection, except possibly in isolated sections where visibility is impaired.

If you just need something as a visual reminder of switch position at some location where it's hard to see the switch points, then a Z-Stuff semaphore is your best bet.  You can always see the position of that semaphore blade.

I hope you find the right solution for your needs, desires (and wallet).

Hi Tom... Do your guest engineman obey the signals?   If not, assign them to a yard.

Number 90 posted:

If you want to signal a siding for occupancy detection it requires six signals:

• an exit signal in the siding at each end
• A home signal on the main track at each end for facing-point movement over the turnout.
• An absolute signal on the main track at each end for trailing-point movement.

Most modelers merely place signals in locations where their change of aspect can be seen without actually adding train detection.  These signals automatically clear themselves on a timer after the train passes.

If you want only switch position protection, then you could do it with two opposing signals on the main track, one at each facing-point location.  They can additionally be set up to be train activated and to self-clear after a train passes, but, whenever the switch is lined for the siding, the signals will display Stop and Proceed.

I have train detection, but I also have a $3500 investment in signals, relays, and cables from Custom Signals, beautiful stuff, but it requires a lot of equipment and many insulated blocks in the track.

If you just need something as a visual reminder of switch position at some location where it's hard to see the switch points, then a Z-Stuff semaphore is your best bet.  You can always see the position of that semaphore blade.

The DZ-1040 looks about right, with it's plug-n-play capability. I'm not really looking for realism. Just want to add a touch or two to the layout.

Yes, Gregg.  I do it all the hard way.  

We used the DZ-1040's and DZ-1050's on both switches (a total of 8) for all the mainline crossovers.  Also at our westbound and eastbound entrance & exit from our large storage yard.  We also use a semaphore signal bridge that straddles the WYE at the yard throat exit.  The signal bridge required some program modifications to suit our needs.  But it works GREAT.

3rail 2 posted:

Atlas ones were beautiful but are not available.

 

Donald

Donald,

Working on it.  New code is done; testing in progress.

Lou N

Number 90 posted:

If you want to signal a siding for occupancy detection it requires six signals:

• an exit signal in the siding at each end
• A home signal on the main track at each end for facing-point movement over the turnout.
• An absolute signal on the main track at each end for trailing-point movement.

Most modelers merely place signals in locations where their change of aspect can be seen without actually adding train detection.  These signals automatically clear themselves on a timer after the train passes.

If you want only switch position protection, then you could do it with two opposing signals on the main track, one at each facing-point location.  They can additionally be set up to be train activated and to self-clear after a train passes, but, whenever the switch is lined for the siding, the signals will display Stop and Proceed.

I have train detection, but I also have a $3500 investment in signals, relays, and cables from Custom Signals, beautiful stuff, but it requires a lot of equipment and many insulated blocks in the track.  There's so much involved in this that there are very few model rail automatic block signal systems.  I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but am just encouraging you to think about whether you are passionate about functional block signals.  Most modelers, especially in 3-rail, do not really want train detection, except possibly in isolated sections where visibility is impaired.

If you just need something as a visual reminder of switch position at some location where it's hard to see the switch points, then a Z-Stuff semaphore is your best bet.  You can always see the position of that semaphore blade.

I hope you find the right solution for your needs, desires (and wallet).

Excellent explanation.  Signals have a raison d'etre (reason for being)  .  Not just placed randomly.

I have some 3D printer Cleveland Union Terminal dwarf signals I a playing with now.....

http://rrsignalpix.com/custom_cut_signals.php

Regards,

Lou N