I got my first (of many) semaphore working last week. For my initial test, I used one of my turnout decoders to operate it. I’ll need those for turnouts (plus a few!) so I designed a new decoder for the signals. It is a simplified version, based on my turnout decoder. Of course the code […]
Here is a You Tube video showing a test of a Tomar semaphore on my layout. The semaphore is animated by a hobby servo connected to a DCC accessory decoder based on an Arduino Pro Mini board. JMRI is used to control the signal based on block occupancy. I’m utilizing RR-CirKits for block detection. All […]
The turnout control I described in my last post was working great… That is until I subsequently added block detection to the mixture. I am using RR-CirKits equipment to access the Loconet buss of my Digitrax system. I am using BOD-8 block detectors, connected in this case, to a TowerMan input-output unit. I had originally […]
It appears that the plan is coming together! I have successfully set up the RR-CirKits TC Mark II to output the switch message on Loconet to drive my turnout accessory decoder. This allows me to operate turnouts via a panel switch, my throttle, and a JMRI panel.
That’s my Mikado under power crossing the 200 foot truss bridge (sans truss) with the pink bones of a waterfall in the background. I am into my second box of Peco code 83 track so there is over 75 feet of track now in place plus 3 turnouts. Trackwork for my “not” helix leading between […]
Organization has always been an issue for me. My wife on the other hand is very good at it, however when it comes to my workshop, I seldom ask her for help. This is due to her tendency to throw things away. Workshop clutter is not junk, just stuff I have not used but am […]
I’ve started on some of the backdrop for the Wildcat Valley. I really think I should start at the back and work toward the front so I don’t have to reach over finished scenery. As I began researching photographic backdrops on line, I found that I could have some really nice scenery using this method. […]
I took a little time to visit one of the layouts on the CID April layout tour yesterday. I needed some inspiration to keep me trudging ahead on my own layout. I talked my wife, Chris , into going. I think she enjoyed it, but she made me go to the “At Home Store” with […]
I took a pause in laying sub-roadbed for the WVR to begin work on the valance for the mountain “helix” this week. I wanted to get the upper portion of this area under way while I can easily get to it. I used white finish hardboard paneling for the top surface, it has a nice […]
After much cutting of wood, leveling, screwing, and a few choice words, the sub-roadbed for the mountain helix is nearly finished. I still need to add a few more supports in there. I plan to add a trestle on this side for the upper track where it passes over the middle track along with a […]
