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Model Railroad Layout Components

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Milan Gupta edited this page Feb 16, 2021 · 1 revision

Layouts consist of the following key elements :

Blocks

  • Blocks are sections of tracks that are connected to other blocks or turnouts. A block always has 2 ends. A train can enter or exit from either end.
  • Blocks are associated with two signals (A & B) that show the occupant of the block whether it is safe to proceed from the A or B end.
  • Blocks are associated one-to-one with an occupancy detector that controls the state of the signals for the block.

Occupancy Detectors

Occupancy detectors are available in two types

  • Optical/proximity sensor based

    There are a number of magnetic or IR (optical) sensors available. The upside of using optical/proximity based sensors is that you do not need to mess with the power wiring to the track (electrically isolated blocks). The downside is that these detectors depend on the train position, so, not suitable for longer blocks.

  • Current sensing BD20

    The current sensing block detectors require each block to be supplied by its own "isolated" power feed. Whilst the whole layout can be powered via a common power-supply, a power distribution strip is typically used to feed each block with a block-current-sensor wired in-line to each block power feed. Critically, the rails for each block need to be electrically isolated using insulating type rail joiners. This can be done on the +ve of the rail only with the other rail remaining GND/Common.

    Block detectors also require a "control" board that interface/integrate them into DCC controllers and/or software. Examples of these control boards are the NCE AIU01 or the Digitrax BDL168

Signals

Aspect signals are available with 1-4 heads in ground mounted or mast mounted varieties. Also, aspect signals may be dual-facing. BLMA (now owned by Atlas) makes some of the finest prototypical signals (although pricey). Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) is a common signaling scheme used in the UK and North America.

Links

BLMA (now owned by Atlas)

Turnouts or Switches

Switches or Turnouts allow trains to switch between two tracks (2-way switch).

There are a number of variants available (3 way, double crossover etc.), however, the basic building block is a 2-way switch. In other words, a 3-way switch can be logically seen as 2 consecutive 2-way switches.

Switches or Turnouts can be either manually or electrically controlled. The electrical control is achieved using a switch or turnout machine (motor) available from a number of manufacturers (PECO, Tortoise, Kato etc.). There are basically two types - twin-coil or switch motors. A good article.

Switches are controlled by controllers that enables integration with either DCC control systems and/or software. Some examples - NCE Switch8

Links

Lighting

Links

[Miniatronics] Miller Engineering

DCC Control

DCC or Digital Command & Control revolutionized the world of model railroading a decade ago. NMRA or National Model Railroad Association govern the standards associated with DCC.

DCC basically operates by overlaying a "protocol" over AC power (typically 12-16V) supplying the track/layout. Each train has a "decoder" that rectifiers the power for the train motor as well as separates the "protocol packets" or "instructions".

Popular Manufacturers

Links

Train Control Software (optional)

@ Gupta-Tech LLC 2021

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