New visitors at Hedley-Junction

[sailormatlac]

Matt, is this the layout you're describing in another thread? And signals controlled by CPU -- tell us more!

No, I think I never properly shown the club layout in a thread (if you can call a club a 3-man combined effort). It depict the same locale (the yard and the industries on the other side of it) as the shelf layout I'm challenged to complete. (Just learned this morning I had to write a 3000 word research paper for a conference by February, now, that's gonna be a challenge). It represent mainly Limoilou Yard and Quebec City grain elevator facilities circa 1957. For purpose of running train, we included a part of wilderness between the two scenes that are in fact closely tied together. The wilderness part is Cap-Tourmente tunnel and St-Joachim Station, somewhre 25 miles east to Quebec City on ex-Murray Bay Subdivision (QRL&PCo). For more info about it and track plan, you can check up my blog:http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Honestly, I didn't design the signal system. I only bashed the masts and targets. Signals are manually activated to secure route. However, there's about 8 relied signals that must work all together to give the right orders. They follow CNR practice. The CPU is used to build up the program that makes sure everything works togethers. Most signals include 3 or 2 color LED. A small processor which control the signals can be connected to a computer to upload the program on them. At this point, I can't say more as I'm a total dummy in electronics.

These signals protect two tunnels and their corresponding junctions. All tunnels are located near yard entraces. We absolutely needed "Real" signals to know what happens on the other train room. We once used this system with DC, it was easier to make sure there was no obstruction on the main line. But now with DCC, these tunnels are now very dangereous without signal. They are also linked directly with electrically operated turnouts. One of the signal is an old solenoid-activated semaphore.

I wish I could gave you more info about them... We operated the layout a little bit yesterday night and it was an interesting operation feature to have to wait for orders and mainline to clear. Now, I feel like the sidings have a real purpose.

Matt