Signals, What are you using

Also take a look at Z Stuff. Good products but lousy service. Buy Z Stuff signals from Ross or one of their distributors, not direct. 

I have had Z Stuff flack and semaphore signals on my layout for 5 years with no hitch at all.  They are high quality signals.

 

TEX

Steve

Signals?  I have none.  It's just not part of my layout or operation.

NJ brass signals. Used them for years. Don

Use Z stuff color signals TRACKSIDE SIGNAL DZ 1080....love the 7 color signal from red yellow to green track side.....

 

Custom Signals and Atlas searchlights You said you were only planning to use three signals. That will work if you just want some lights that return to green on a timer. If you plan to use blocks, then you need at least 4 of them or your train will never see a green signal.

Signals?  I have none.  It's just not part of my layout or operation.

 Gee lee I guess you like "operating in the dark" eh?

 

 

That is absolutely true if you hook the signals up the correct way   Three signals would always be yellow or red with a block system  The Custom signals do have a timer circuit if you want to use them that way. We use Atlas/Custom signals   Have had them installed on our outer loop since 2006 without a problem   That loop uses 15 blocks though.

i have some made by r.o.w.[akron,ohio] , acouple of lionel 450's, and about a dozen mth- look like the c&o used .all controled by insulated outside rail using a relay. i enjoy trying to operate prototype and this is a big part of real railroading.-jim

We have a mix of MTH and Z-Stuff signals. The MTH signals are triggered by insulated rail and relays. The Z-Stuff are using the optical sensors for now. We have a couple of Atlas signals that work nicely, but two others got sheared off in a derailment. The MTH and Z-Stuff are a little sturdier.

 

You can pretty much integrate any signals to work together if you have enough wire, enough relays and sensors and enough patience. I haven't tied our signals together as they're more for traffic control around layout blind spots rather than true block control.

All of the lines on my layout are dark territory, but someday there will be signals and operating crossing gates.

I think signals by Z-Stuff are the best.  My favorite part of using their signals is that the  detector is built in.  No need to spend extra money or work on detectors. 

 

I do have signals from MTH and Right-Of-Way Industries on my layout.  Both of which I enjoy as well.  But in recent years ALL new signals bought have been by Z-Stuff.

It isn't completely clear to me whether you want to have a block signal system (which would provide a Stop indication and an Approach indication for both opposing and following trains, and signals would change to reflect the location of the train and the position of turnouts) or operating signals (which would be activated and display a Stop indication when a train is passing, and then upgrade to Approach, and then to Clear on a timer, even if the train has stopped just past the signal).

 

There's nothing wrong with operating signals.  That's what is most commonly installed and it looks nice. However the drawback is that it is strictly a simulation and cannot reliably indicate occupancy of the track.  To have a block signal system, you must divide your track into blocks (by using an insulated joint in the outside rail) and each signal is controlled by a relay.  The relay is also connected to the switch machines of any turnouts in the block, and to the relays in both adjacent blocks.

 

It is not terribly complicated.  The Atlas/Custom Signals system is easy enough for the average person to install, and they have good support material on the website.

 

It can get expensive, although it could be installed in stages.  The track must be divided into blocks when laid, but the signals do not have to be installed all at once if money is an object.  I have 32 block signals on my layout.  However, I have two wyes, a crossing at grade, a two track main line, and a passenger main track through town.  But I am a retired railroad official and I want a fully functional automatic block signal system.  I could have installed 4 blocks on each track of the two track main and had an automatic block signal system.  It would have given trains a Restricting indication any time they left the main track to enter a wye, yard, or the passenger main.  The crossing at grade would have been unprotected.  I can't say that it would have taken the fun out of the layout, but part of the fun, to me, is the block signal system.  And the signals add realism.  There is yet work to be done, as I am adjusting their placement a little bit and most of the mounting bases still are visible.  One by one, they will be camouflaged at the base and will be more realistic looking.

 

 

My layout is run under Yard Limit Rules!

Is thier any books or info as to where to properly place the signals? Just need some basic understanding on how the real rr. Do it. Like the z stuff signals from what I saw at there booth at the st.louis train show.

Lionelzwl2012, Go to customsignals.com. In the menu on the left, click on links & references. There are multiple book titles listed. Under Track Configuration Library, scroll down to see how track in different configurations are set up.

 

Hi Drew, they are scale. They are the best looking made. If you are using NJ switches or others they work. Don 

Thanks Don!

Atlas dwarf signals. 

NJ International.

I would use nj international

 

Tom you layout is looking fantastic...including those signals.

Most of my Signals are from MTH, being a B&O guy, many are color position. I control them with an isolated rail and where needed micro switches at switch points. To control the signal indication, I use 12volt DC relays from Radio Shack and wire in a full wave bridge to the coil circuit. That’s much easier, smaller and cheaper than an AC relay.
Where an isolated rail would be impracticable I use Z-stuff signals or controls
My signals don’t follow exact prototype operating practices, but close enough to give a realistic impression.

I'm installing Atlas/Custom Signals PRR style signals.

 

Jan

Train orders, phone boxes, and brakemen with lanterns on the ground.

Utilizing z stuff signals and signal bridges.The down side is with my rolling stock weathered the bridges not the standard signals inconsistently don't see some rooftops(pending color) and cause chattering of the signal, Iam adding soon an I pad system for operation and detection which hopefully will remedy the problem by using a different sensor to see the train and keep signals correct.

I use Custom Signals also. Here is a video showing the signal placement on a triple main connected by a double slip switch on one end and yard leads on the other end.

 

 

Cesar

 

 

 

I use Z Stuff track signals and NJ International crossbucks with ITT Products sound. They work great. I've used the Z Stuff for over 5 years without a failure.

Mike,  I like the look of those Atlas dwarf signals.  But I can't tell if they use LEDs or mini bulbs.  Could you enlighten me?

I'm still using hand signals and shouting.

 

"Gee you're on the GROUND !"

 

Scrappy

I am using 4 of the Z-Stuff DZ-1060 PRR 7-light position signals and 2 MTH PRR signal bridges.  The DZ signals are triggered by insulated rail (not IR beams).  Likewise, the MTH signal bridges are triggered by insulated rails using a DZ1008 relay.

 

George 

The concrete bases were fabricated from medium density particle board, not part of the dwarf light.

(Rich, giving stop signal to Scrappy): That'll do, Eliot.  

(Moments later, Rich, now giving a washout to Scrappy, who is trying to get stopped): That'll do, Eliot.  

(Moments more and Rich is still giving Scrappy a washout and now has also thrown his cap onto the ground and is jumping up and down on the cap): *&%#@

 

*&%#@ is "Gee, you're on the Ground," on steroids.  The stomped cap is an extra, normally only used when you are the guy who's going to have to re-rail the engine.

 

That's how it's done with hand signals.

Basically what we have here is that some folks prefer to drive a Chevrolet and others prefer to drive a Ford.

 

One thing that is true about almost all O scale signals is that, if you see something you would want to use, get it, because they are not all available at all times.

Tom,

You're right, of course, LOl.

If I keep this layout up, I will add NJ signals.

 

Scrappy

I'm using Custom Signals, they look and function great.  Just built these with the PRR bridge signals. 

 

Andy