Wiring a Block Signal on a Wye

Jim,

First question - The signal will indicate block occupancy and NOT the switch position. Correct?

Just want to make sure that I'm reading that right.

Good morning,

Yes, the signal will indicate block occupancy, but not switch position. At a later date and in a different spot, I'll try using a signal to indicate switch position, but not today.

Thanks,

Jim

My signals aren't up yet, but I have a few wyes on my layout, all wired for detection. I do that by using the three segments, one on each leg, nearest the center of the wye.

It looks like you have another switch in the one leg. That will leave little rail to no rail for detection, as you will need a ground signal for both outside rails on the switch. That leg will need two gaps on that rail to isolate the switch segment, and there will need to be a ground feeder to the switch segment. Since all the frogs are plastic, no other gaps are needed.

Your signal is actually in the wrong location. It should be outside the wye, further to the left, and indicate that the other leg is being used. If you really wanted to get fancy (and realistic), the signal would have 2 heads stacked. Red over red, stop. Green over red, straight leg. Red over green curved leg. Because you have a parallel route using that other switch, it is possible to occupy that leg with another train while still using the straight leg. Nifty arrangement!

Please keep us posted on your progress 

Good  luck, John

Thank you. I think I understand the wiring as you've described. Two heads stacked, eh? Based on all this, I think I'll move this one signal elsewhere where the wiring is easier and pick up a double headed signal to put at the wye. 

I'll probably still need some help wiring that when the time comes.

BTW, I'm attaching a photo of the layout to the left of the wye. The track with the fourth switch (on the left in the picture) leads through the bascule bridge to a small engine yard.

Jim

Jim,

What type Signals is it ? Like is  MTH or Lionel   ?

Does your Signals have a circuit broad on the bottom or is just some wires coming out of IT ?

I will  need more information about the Signal Head before figure out what's going on here.

Also did  you know their is now time delay Relays out there on  E-bay and Amazon now too ! 

Good luck,John

Hi, John.

It's an old ROW signal with three wires coming from it. In fact, it's the same one that I asked about wiring using a non-ROW relay a few days ago. I wired it up on a test track and everything worked great and that gave me the encouragement to try a bigger/better/bolder situation; a situation that's probably a little bit more sophisticated than I am.

Jim

Jim, for wiring purposes they are all pretty much the same. Sounds like that one has a wire for the red bulb, one for the green bulb, and one wire common to both which may be connected to the signal structure itself. This is the way, postwar signals are wired. You'd need one relay for each red and green head. It only has to be as complicated as you want to make it. Once you get the first one down it gets easier.

If anyone is interested, I still have 6 of the original ROW offered relays

Jim,

How are you Making out ?

Good luck,John

Good morning,

My son and I were able to wire in the ROW signal near the location shown in the first picture.  And it works great. It's temporarily mounted on the table with masking tape and the wires will be easy to disconnect. We couldn't resist hooking it up to see if it would work. I'm now looking for a double stacked signal to replace it, but haven't decided on which one(s) to get: NJI or Z-Stuff. (any suggestions?) I'm also playing around with the idea of using a signal bridge at the base of the wye to signal the diverging routes.

We have evolved in our attitude towards signals. Originally we were looking at them as only window dressing, but we've realized that there's so much more we can do with them that we're developing a plan to use block and crossing signals throughout the layout. The upper level - not shown in the photo - is essentially a switching layout for a brewery complex. Based loosely on the Milwaukee Road Beer Line, it would benefit from some judiciously placed signals; particularly to show switch positions.

I dug out an old copy of Bruce Chubb's, How to Operate your Model Railroad   and the chapter on signals is very useful.

Thanks for asking,

Jim

Way to go Jim! I have that book and other stuff by Chubb, great material. Sounds like the "hook is set" on this signal business.

I'm not sure what John DeAlto has for sale, but it's worth a look. Also check out WeHonest on eBay. They have all kinds of signal stuff and it is rather inexpensive. Recently a forum member was showing off a cantilever bridge similar to your ROW, and it looked pretty nice, especially for the money. Also, they sell all the parts to make your signal heads. This is the route I've chosen to go.

You might want to checkout Custom Signals to see what inventory he has. He was having a clearance sale recently. He deals with all the multiple head signals. www.customsignals.com

Jim,

Also Integrated Signals systems .com too

Good luck, John

One place to look for ideas is

http://customsignals.com/LibraryA.php

Numbers 7 and 8.

Good morning,

Thank you for the replies and the suggestions. I really like the signals Custom Signals offers and will contact Mr. Christopher. In fact, once we finish our plan for block, interlocking, and crossing signals, I will bounce it off him to see if it makes sense ... which it probably won't, but that's okay.

Does he set up at York?

Jim