Dear all I would like to ask you all which signals have the best quality in scale N? I checked on several websites but I am not sure which product I shall buy. I use Kato Unitrack but the signals of Kato are difficult to install on the layout. Thanks alot for your replies and best regards from Switzerland md11
MD11, Most of the signals in N scale are of excellent quality, kato's signals are somewhat large for N scale, but I'll tell ya one thing, the kato is about as plug and play as you get, with Atlas's new signal system a close second. If you find the two prev mentioned signal systems hard to install, then your going to find every other signal a bear, because most of the others the wiring is not plug and play. There may be a few exceptions, but I've have not seen them. Rob
Welcome to Trainboard! I have to agree with Rob. Degree of difficulty varies widely among modelers, but Kato and Atlas are the easiest I've seen. I've been in N scale for 36 years now, and have built some pretty big railroads. I confess that I'm still a little daunted at installing a working signaling system even though I need one, since I run PRR. I'm not that familiar with the European systems available. I believe that signaling is more important to European modelers than it is to US modelers, so perhaps others in our international community can comment on those. Sorry I can't help more. But your research should lead you to the right choice for you.
A formidable undertaking There is no other way to put it: Building a signaling system for an N scale model railroad (or any scale model railroad, for that matter), is an exceptionally difficult undertaking. To implement any major railroad's signaling system fully, one must acquire a working knowledge of prototype signaling systems in general, including such daunting topics as Absolute-Permissive Signaling, Central Train Control, and interlocking systems; at the conclusion of this study you would no doubt qualify for a master's degree in railway engineering. On top of this, you must understand how your prototype implemented signaling, which would qualify you for a degree in the history of technology. Roads varied. Plus, you'd have to understand how the road's signaling system was adapted to a particular stretch of track. Only after a long and serious study of traffic patterns and track possibilities would you have any idea how to implement such a system. Now we're down to the level of experienced division railroad engineering staff and trainmen. What the heck are you doing modeling? There is a crying need for skilled railway employees! So the question is, why do we want signaling on our layouts? What do we really hope to achieve, AS MODELERS, with signals? Answers will vary, as they should, but for me it boils down to two basic principles: 1. Realism. When a train passes a signal, it should change to red. Does this mean that it MUST turn the PREVIOUS signal yellow? Must it remain red until the NEXT signal has been passed, at which time it turns yellow? No. It would be cool, but... No. Is anyone really watching the signals? No. They're watching the train. Does it matter for safety? No. The operators can see the trains. 2. Information to operators. People running trains should be able to see that there's an open switch ahead of them. In my experience, this is the most common cause of fun-stopping derailments. #1 can be implemented easily by means of low technology: reed switches, and a timing/switching device. 15 seconds... yellow. 30 seconds... green. OK, maybe the train has stopped in the middle of the next block, but operators aren't using the signals to judge whether or not they should proceed. They can see the trains. (Normally. For exceptions, you will want to tap into block detection.) #2 can be implemented, also easily, by tapping into switch contacts. Thanks to DCC's constant track current, it's easy to construct simple circuits, using inexpensive diodes, that instantly alter the aspects of all three potential approach signals. On my layout, these signals have all but eliminated the most common cause of derailments, namely, operators running trains into open switches. (The incidence of such derailments is proportional to the number of imbibed refreshments.) If there is sufficient interest I can supply more details about #2 with reference to Kato Unitrak switches. There are commercial solutions for #1, but I am still working on an open source alternative. --Bryan
It's not that hard at all. You just got to jump in and do it. I just took out my old man-made system that I had for about 9 years and put in a great system by RR-CIRKITS,Inc They have a easy system to put in that you don't have to read a dictionary to understand. Their website is RR-CirKits Home Page I use NJ signals with this system and it works great. Scott
Scott; I am assuming that you are directing us to the TC64 manual download on that page. I'll need some time to go through that, but it looks very interesting. A couple links away from that page you linked is their notebook signal head page. That looks very promising too. My initial reaction is, they are talking about LocoNet. It sounds like this system requires a Digitrax DCC system. Am I mistaken? Best!
Some signaling options Lownen, Maybe it would be helpful to explain that there are basically two approaches to model railroad signaling: Plug and play hardware (examples: Atlas, Custom Signals, Logic Rail Technologies, Signaling Solution). The system consists of modular circuit boards. Your layout is divided into blocks, with each block having its own signal and circuit board. These systems are easy to install and most can be used with DC or DCC. They can be pricey, though, if you have a lot of blocks. However, they do not require a computer. PC-controlled systems (examples: C/MRI, Digitrax, RR-Cirkits). Most of these systems require DCC. All require a computer interface (such as LocoBuffer USB), a computer, and software (such as JMRI). Your layout is divided into blocks. Block detection is handled through DCC hardware, such as the Digitrax BDL-16. Signals are driven by signal interface boards, but these boards contain no logic. The logic is provided by the computer and the software. These systems are versatile and can emulate just about any prototypical signaling system. Assuming you have a spare PC around, costs are lower because the boards are less complex. (Just one Digitrax SEC8 signal controller handles up to 8 blocks with 32 signal heads.) The easiest and least brain-stretching way to go, I think, is Logic Rail Technology's Signal Animator. When it's tripped by a block detector, the signal goes red; after an interval you can set (say, 20 seconds), it turns yellow; and after another interval, it turns green. They're about $20 each. Hope this is helpful. Bryan
Mine I have doesn't require loconet. I put in 2 BOD-8s and 2 SMD-8s on mine and used resistors between metal wheel sets. Normal detection levels are 1ma. These 2 boards gave me 16 blocks for signals. Contact the guy and he will tell you all about it. 1-704-843-3769 Tell him you talked to me.
Discontinued, probably Correct. And if you can't find them on Kato's website, they've no doubt discontinued them....
