New signals on the N scale PRR Middle Division

[Dave V]

Okay guys, you finally talked me into it.

I ordered 4 N scale pre-wired position light signal heads and signal masts from Bernie at Alkem Scale Models.  He's got a sale going on the N scale PLs.

The good news is, at least according to Logic Rail Technologies' website, Alkem's common-anode LED PLs will work with my current NJI-bulb-compatable signal animators.  Whew!

Anyway, don't everyone hold their breath...  It'll probably be awhile before I have the chance to wire these up.  With my dissertation defense looming large on the calendar along with my summer move to Nebraska, well...  It may be an autumn project.

But rest assured that someday you won't have to see those oversized human-sized light bulbs in my signals anymore.  They'll be correct for N scale and be the right amber color.

I'm also reducing the total number of signals on the layout.  The first reason is cost, obviously.  But the second reason is that I went "signal happy," installing mast signals where dwarf signals would have been much more correct.

So the future configuration will be a pair of fully animated signals at the LEW crossover and another such pair at M Interlocking.  The jury's still out on whether the coal branch gets one.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice!

I think it depends on the amount of traffic the branch had seen. Was it a true branch? Or was it just an industrial track entering the CTC system?

You know, you could always fake it and play with those crazy pedestal signals... nah, that'd be TOO insane.

[Dave V]

Yeah, I was thinking that.  A dwarf, though, would only need 3 LEDs.  Stop and clear, with on pivot light and 2 aspect lights.  But who the heck wants to solder LEDs that small?

I guess that's not a job for the ol' 140/100W Weller... ;D

[wm3798]

Signaling my layout is only a distant dream.  NJI makes a good LED mast, and at $14 or so a throw they're not too expensive, but number one, I have only a dim vision of how signaling worked on the WM, and second, I'm not very well versed in the control systems that would make them work.

The Atlas signaling system intrigues me, but the target they chose is totally wrong.  I wonder if the NJI signals I have would work with the Atlas control system?

Lee

[Dave V]

Can't answer that Lee...  But I can say that Logic Rail Tech is a great basement company.  Great product, selection, documentation, and customer support.  I've been very happy with their product.

They also have more prototypical signal logic systems.  Mine's more of an impressionistic thing.

[John]

I picked up a bunch of the TrainCat signals at timonium .. look at those signal heads Lee .. they will work for wild mary

[wm3798]

All I need now is someone to build, wire and install them for me!

Oh wait, I'll figure it out sooner or later...
Lee

[cv_acr]

Searchlight signals are on the horizon at my club. We're working on getting the wiring sorted out and the main lines properly blocked, especially around interlockings etc. (The initial wiring job was done a little half-@$$ed to get it working quickly. Everything was all interconnected with no independent divisions. Which also meant that a short in one area would stop the entire layout. Now it's separated into three sections, each on a fully separate booster (it was running on two boosters, but all the sloppy interconnected wiring meant the two boosters were linked and powering the whole layout. 10amps instead of 5. Not the best.) and circuit breakers will be installed to further break things down.) The re-wiring improves reliability, troubleshooting and is the start of preparing things for signalling.

The majority of the layout will be CTC, with a couple of independent interlockings and one section of 2-track directional running with current-of-traffic ABS signalling. All branch lines are dark territory. The new sections we have under construction will have all wiring and signal installation done as they are built; no more "get-this-done-quick-and-do-it-properly-later" jobs. The next job (well, one of many really) is to figure out the computer system to control it all. Time to start researching the best options, and to figure out the logic for the system for setting all the proper routes and indications.