Stationary Decoders

Hi Folks - This past weekend I purchased a Digitrax DS 64 stationary decoder (http://www.digitrax.com/prd_statdec_ds64.php to install on (under) my layout. It has the ability to control up to 4 slow motion decoders. I plan on using it to control a couple of the turn outs in my yard that are difficult to reach. Even though I use a Lenz DCC system, I decided to go with the Digitrax unit, because unlike the Lenz unit, this unit doesn't require resistors on the outputs in order to use it with slow motion switch motors. It is totally DCC compatible and has several neat features such as being able to be powered by its own power supply or by track power. The user also has the ability to control it by DCC signals either through the track or connecting it to the DCC bus ( although to do this it has to use the Digitrax Loconet system). It is a very versatile unit, and although I have only hooked it up to a Tortoise switch machine temporary to test it, it seems to work very well. So between hooking up my Atlas signal system (see last post) and installing the DS64 this past weekend, I have been spending a bit of time under the layout lately. I decided to clean up the rats nest ( I mean wiring) as well and have installed over 150 cable ties to bundle up the wiring nice and neatly. I must say it looks much neater under there now. Now to go topside and start on some more scenery....Till next time.

Red Means STOP

Well folks I have spent the better part of the weekend installing two Atlas signals that I acquired at a recent train show. They are impressive devices and add another area of operating interest to the layout. They have the ability to become fully integrated with the Signal control boards (SCB) actually connecting to each other and displaying a color of signal appropriate to the occupancy of the block before it and after it. For now though I have them operating in independent mode, so that when a train enters the corresponding block, the signal goes to red and then yellow (timed for 8 seconds) when the train leaves that block, then back to green The SCB is controlled by a block occupancy detector - in this case, a NCE BD20. One word of advice though make sure you have good lighting under the layout, as the screw terminals on both devices are very small and difficult to get the wires in when you are underneath a layout looking up...my neck is still sore. Till next time....