John, Many of the things you list CAN be done but that is not the only way. Delayed magnetic uncoupling requires no power and is between the track. Electromagetic decouplers are generally under the track, powered and more expensive. The only premade signals I know of are from NJ International http://www.njinternational.com/signals&sys.htm although I have'nt done much digging. You can learn about the type of signalling you want herehttp://www.lundsten.dk/us_signaling/abs_apb/index.html . and Block detection here http://www.wiringfordcc.com/blockdet.htm . Signals are both era AND road specific, and their are companies that make custom signals. Jeffrey
--- In [email protected], "JohnMWalker" <johnmwal...@...> wrote: > > > Greetings again everyone, > > Before I launch a third round of questions, I'll express my sincere > thanks to all who responded to my previous queries. I was thunderstruck > with the quality and quantity of advice it is very much > appreciated. > > I expect to complete my layout infrastructural carpentry (two tables, > each is 2.0 x 4.0 meters) in a T-configuration.The leg of the T runs > East-West, and the head of the T runs North-South but on the Western > (left) side of the layout. The Eastern table therefore is the leg,it > runs left-right relative to the operator(s) and is oriented slightly > high-of-center. I'll post the schematic if anyone's interested > (I am not sure how to do so). > > I've been long-distance layout brainstorming with Des Browne of > Belfast Caboose. Actually it's his brain and I contribute just a few > stormy ideas. Belfast Caboose is of course in Northern Ireland. Aside > from me, no one in Switzerland seems to have interest in S-scale. Other > than DCC components and systems, and of course basic scenery, it looks > like I'll be sourcing everything internationally. (note: I've > noticed some members bemoaning the lack of S-scale supply trust > me, it could be worse!) > > Today I have just a few queries: > > I am inclined to do the track layout (on plywood tables, with foam > underlay) essentially all at once.I'd start scenery only after I am > sure everything runs properly. Reason: should I need technical > assistance I expect I'll need to call on my local Swiss shop fairly > soon after the DCC purchases, I probably cannot expect too much tutoring > many months later. My questions address magnetic coupling and signaling: > > magnetic coupling > > 1. I will have a variety of spurs and a freight yard, of course (which > in real-life at the Swiss Railway we call Rangier > Bahnhöfe'). Does it make sense to install the magnetic decoupling > plates' (or whatever one calls them) immediately? > > 2. How are these magnetic plates' powered? Is the selection > also DCC? > > 3. Are they mounted under-track or between the rails? > > 4. Does one ballast over them? > > signaling > > I am intrigued about line side signaling. This is the single most > important aspect of 1:1 scale modeling,here in Switzerland we've > deployed a system called ETCS. Not sure what you folks in the States > use. Even with ETCS we've had accidents from time-to-time,but > it's no doubt saved countless lives. We transport more than > 800,000passengers per day, and some congested stations have trains > arriving on platforms every 3-4 minutes. That's roughly 10% of the > country (not a typographical error) which makes at least one trip by > train per workday. In Zürich an estimated 60% of the workforce > commutes by rail. > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Train_Control_System > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Train_Control_System> > > 1. Will DCC allow my to automatically zone' areas? What I > mean by that, can an occupied' spur, siding or track length be > illuminated? I presume it would be red' so subsequent trains do > not proceed. > > 2. Of course I'd use S-scale signals and US-transition era bulb > configuration: I presume these are era-specific? > > 3. Are there suppliers of such signals in S-scale? Can anyone suggest > a weblink? > > Lastly, I'll end with an apology for my ignorance. I am probably > using wildly incorrect terms. I do so because I am translating the > French and German terms, which are our daily business languages, into > English. In Switzerland we have four official languages (Italian and > Rheto-Romanian are third and fourth; neither of them do I speak). > > I've tried to do a bit of research on the internet, but the amount > of information is overwhelming, often(to me) unclear, and occasionally > contradictory. > > Thanks to all for your infinite patience and Best Regards from > Hombrechtikon, Switzerland! > > John M Walker > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
