Model Railroading > Interlocking Signaling on a Model Railroad?

The model railroad is coming along fine and it is time to think in the near future.

I note a number of software and high tech solutions for CTC and block signaling including software and DCC features.

But how about interlocking signaling?

I have two scenarios in mind on my moder railroad in progress: Two interlockings that will be manned with a "model board" and several that will be automatic (some live and some with random signaling). I'd like the signaling to protoypically "knock down" as the trains pass their signals. I'd also like to have train indication lights on the model board.

With the manned "towers" I like to use a form of power routing (entrance and exit buttons are pushed for the desired route and all switches and signals will be lined up.) It is a bit modern for my prototype railroad but there won't be enough time to activate the levers/buttons in a prototypical manner without holding up the railroad. ;)

I'm using DCC and note that switch machines can be activated with decoders and a group can be activated at one time for a particular routing. (Most of signals are semaphores but I do have some searchlights and PRR position light signaling.) I understand that Bruce Chubb has some updated electronics compatible with DCC. I don't mind using computer software but don't want to use the computer keyboard or have the model board on the screen.

Anyone have some inside knowledge on this aspect of modeling or recommend a source?

Thanks in advance.

I've got some good input so far. One person recommended joining the yahoo CMRI group. Another knows of two clubs that use an a product from "Rairoad and Company". I don't know anything about the product other than that.

I've used CMRI to build CTC boards for a couple of large club layout, and also for a home layout. I build the boards so they can be used as US&S type boards where the operator turns rotary knobs to the route he wants at each OS point, then presses the "code" button and a speaker gives you sounds sorta like relays clicking and a tone to signal the route was successfully completed and signals cleared. The same board also includes small pushbuttons on the track diagram to allow the operator to use "En-Ex" control, as you describe.

I've never built a mechanical interlocking plant, but it's always been high on my "proscranated" list. Model Railroader has a 5 or 6 part series many years ago on designing and building one of these, with working semaphores (electrically actuated - the pipe lines were dummies). Contact me off line and I'll photocopy it for you.

Thanks much MTMEngineer. That sounds like the boards with EN-EX might work for me. I did join the CMRI Yahoo Group. Would it be possible to have indicator lights for signals and trains on the board and possibly a buzzer?

You didn't mention it but I don't want to operate off a computer screen. I work with computers all day and wouldn't want to run my trains with a keyboard. But I might be able to live with a touch screen screen if I had too.



MTMEngineer Wrote:
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> I've used CMRI to build CTC boards for a couple of
> large club layout, and also for a home layout. I
> build the boards so they can be used as US&S type
> boards where the operator turns rotary knobs to
> the route he wants at each OS point, then presses
> the "code" button and a speaker gives you sounds
> sorta like relays clicking and a tone to signal
> the route was successfully completed and signals
> cleared. The same board also includes small
> pushbuttons on the track diagram to allow the
> operator to use "En-Ex" control, as you describe.
>
> I've never built a mechanical interlocking plant,
> but it's always been high on my "proscranated"
> list. Model Railroader has a 5 or 6 part series
> many years ago on designing and building one of
> these, with working semaphores (electrically
> actuated - the pipe lines were dummies). Contact
> me off line and I'll photocopy it for you.

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You didn't mention it but I don't want to operate
> off a computer screen. I work with computers all
> day and wouldn't want to run my trains with a
> keyboard. But I might be able to live with a touch
> screen screen if I had too.

Have a look at this
http://modratec.com/index.php

TAW

TAW Wrote:
> Have a look at this
>
>
> TAW


Very interesting. It would be fun to make it look North American style with approprate board and lever colors, indicator lights for trains and signals with auxilary contacts. The prices aren't really that bad in USD. But still, I think I would prefer an ENTRANCE-EXIT style board with push buttons. I don't want to wear bifocals to able to see the control board and the trains on the layout.

That interlocking kit is incredible and very cool. I would love to see one of those kits in action. Very clever and unique.

Bruce

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TAW Wrote:
> > Have a look at this
> >
> >
> > TAW
>
>
> Very interesting. It would be fun to make it look
> North American style with approprate board and
> lever colors, indicator lights for trains and
> signals with auxilary contacts. The prices aren't
> really that bad in USD. But still, I think I would
> prefer an ENTRANCE-EXIT style board with push
> buttons. I don't want to wear bifocals to able to
> see the control board and the trains on the
> layout.

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks much MTMEngineer. That sounds like the
> boards with EN-EX might work for me. I did join
> the CMRI Yahoo Group. Would it be possible to have
> indicator lights for signals and trains on the
> board and possibly a buzzer?
>
With CMRI, basically if you can imagine it, then you can do it. The CTC boards I've put into operation are, as I said, capable of both En-Ex and US&S's classic models.


> You didn't mention it but I don't want to operate
> off a computer screen. I work with computers all
> day and wouldn't want to run my trains with a
> keyboard. But I might be able to live with a touch
> screen screen if I had too.
>
The computer is used only to control the system. The monitor and keyboard are used only for programming, not for operating. Matter of fact, I think the fella that I built the private system for hasn't a clue as to why I've got that strange box and TV screen in his shop area, and doesn't understand why he can't watch Lawrence Welk re-runs on it.

I also use CMRI on my indoor G-scale basement layout, but my southern Minnesota narrow gaugeline does not require CTC! Basically, it serves to provide electrical block control (DCC wasn't fully workable when I started on this thing) and to keep things from running into each other. Though there are two block signals included, but their purpose is to discourage trains from sinking 108 scale feet into the Mississippi River when the pontoon bridge is open.

""NX"" Interlocking Signaling is by far the best for both model and prototype signaling.
'NX' stands for (ENTRANCE--EXIT) ... You push a button at the point on your Model Board where your train will enter, then you immediately push another button at the point where you want the train to EXIT from. The NX Interlocker will automatically line up the most preferred routing thru the most complex of situations in just a very few seconds..
It was built by General Railway Signal Company of Rochester, New York (GRS) and used on the New York Subway system, the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge Railway (Key System--SN--SP) and a host of other railroads...
It was INVENTED by the New York Society of Model Engineers around 1926...

One of the top traction modelers from the SF Bay Area was the late ROBERT BRIGGS of Kensington, CA.
He had sophisticated control and signal systems on the 130 x 75 foot O-scale trolley layout of the East Bay Model Engineers Society. Bob was a perfectionist and an electrical expert.
At his home, he had a big trolley layout in O-scale in his basement. You could operate it manually, automatically, bit of BOTH, or use his "Dial-a-Train" system...
You could program interurban trains to run here and there around his layout, stop at stations, pause while another passes, switch cars, put itself away in a Carbarn, etc., etc all by dialing up a combination of pre-programmed numerical CODES on an old standard rotary phone dial located at each operator's position.
It was the most unbelievable thing you ever did see in your life. However, it also entailed a bank of some three thousand RELAYS under the table, AND, a separate motorized controller and power supply for EACH train.. Scale speeds were operated. It was awe inspiring and amazing!!

Special note: The special little lady who is VERY active in CALTRAIN, AMTRAK and RAILPAX issues is none other than DORAS BRIGGS, Bob's widow... She usually hangs out at the Emeryville AMTRAK Station...
DORAS is an Artisan in her own right. Having done a LOT of the scenery on the old EBMES layouts on Halleck Street in Emeryville so MANY, MANY years ago.

"Key Route Ken"...