HO Scale Signaling and Layout Control (w/ JMRI) - Intro

[@ModelerManMike]

Thanks for putting your vids up on the tube. I really studied this video and really need to get a good understanding of this stuff. I appreciate you sharing.

[@BNSF9382]

Thanks for sharing. Always good to see a video from you.

[@trainman0771]

I just gotta tell you ,that any video you do,rough or not! Is a good video.You know what your doin.

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Pretty amazing stuff here. Very nice operation on those switches for sure.

[@jmm-ve7ro]

Love seeing this part of the modelling with the signals . Make's it that much more realistic. Good job.

[@WestCoastRails]

Hi Josh, looking super as always. Every model railroaders dream, to run with actual working signals!! Look fwd to more videos. G

[@NSTrainFan]

You've got the layout looking good Josh.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks! Youll have to come back sometime maybe this summer if you can! Hopefully everything will be up and running by then. Im working on trying to set up the first operating session sometime in May or June.

[@hoggersouthawk]

Impressive; first class all the way.

[@railfan220]

Awesome video! That was really helpful in understanding some signaling stuff, and I always love your videos. And congratulations on your photo in Model Railroader! I just saw it, and it looks awesome! Thanks, Cam

[@rentarino6196]

I literally just saw that based on your comment! Cool!

[@SeaboardCentral]

That sounds awesome Josh! I can't wait to see how you do the install on the Tortoise switch machine. I'm not sure about the Ashville line but on our District the flashing yellow Approach Restricted or Diverging Approach Restricted Signals are associated with an upcoming short block. A train encountering an approach signal governing a short block running at track speed would not have enough time or distance to get the train stopped short of the stop signal or stop short of an obstruction past a restricting signal. In a ways it is just like an advance approach signal. The difference is in the definition. On an approach restricted or diverging approach restricted you have to approach the next signal not exceeding 15 mph. Hope this wasn't too confusing! Keep up the great work, you are building an incredible layout that does a great job representing NS. Wick Moorman would be amazed at it!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the kind words! And I think I follow you... It seem thats that NS has several different rules and indications based on the district. On the layout, the signals will be based off of those found on the NS Piedmont subdivision (specifically the N and S carolina areas). I know that typically a flashing yellow would be an advanced approach, but where I am from a flashing yellow means the following signal will be a restricting, meaning you must approach the following signal at restricted speed, not exceeding 15 mph. The following link shows the signaling aspects that will be represented on the layout! Thanks for the input and advice! -Josh www.railroadsignals.us/rulebooks/ns00/index.htm

[@SeaboardCentral]

Awesome job Josh! In ABS territory the signals will change just like you said after a train clears a block. In CTC territory at control points controlled by a dispatcher they will only change if the dispatcher lines a train up through the route. When no train is lined, they will just display red. You are doing some awesome work! I'd love to see you do a how to video on installing a Tortoise switch machine as I have a few to install myself and have never installed one.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks! I have a few more switch machines to do myself. Ill make a video showing how I add the tortoise switch machines to existing switches when I add them. As for the CTC. That is the next step of programming. I will need to be able to hold the signals (stay red) until a route is cleared and the intermediate signals should show yellow until a route is lined.

[@shortline77]

I look forward to your spring break from college so we can work some more on this system. I only have about two weeks but I should have those additional blocks wired and a cart/stand made for the computer. Until then I've got my work and fun cut out for me. :- )

[@bobjohnson2800]

Keep up the impressive work !

[@SeaboardCentral]

Hey Josh, I'm the Piedmont Engineer that sent you the rule books and timetable. You did some GMTX engines for me, remember? I run between Atlanta and Greenville, SC which is all CTC. This is just a suggestion and I would look at the signals around Asheville which is what I believe you are modeling to see what they display but I would make the signal prior to the one coming off the high line display the approach restricted, then make the one you had displaying approach restricted just display approach as long as your control point signal governing the yard was displaying either restricting or stop. I haven't seen these ABS signals coming off the high line but I'm pretty sure if you had a Diverging Clear to the mainline at the Yard CP signals the high line signals would just show clear. The reason for the approach restricted on the second signal out from the yard is because you have such a short block between the next signal and the CP signal. Make sense? Anyways, you are on the right track, no pun intended. I can speak with some Asheville District Dispatchers if you need anymore help.

[@nsmodeler24]

I remember thank you! I still have those in the train room. I hope the engines are still working well for you. Thank you very much for the info and yes that makes sense. So coming into the yard from the high line with the ABS signals, you would first get an approach restricted, then an approach, then a restricting at the CP signal for the yard entrance? This particular section with the high line, CP, and yard entrance is set up somewhat similar to the S-Line entrance into the East end of Asheville yard, so that is what I have been trying to replicate the signals after. Thanks again for the help!

[@drewzdrew27]

I think it is really cool! On my next layout (maybe even a dabble on my current) I hope to add the signaling logic aspect, right now I'm acquiring and modding signals to those that have been used on SP out west.

[@MrLuvOldies]

Wow! Nice video.I am not that familiar with switching and signaling. It seems complicated,but I guess like anything, you have to learn about it.

[@benbaydogg6]

Very nice work!

[@bigB6flyer]

That's really cool. I can't justify that level of prototypical operation for my layout, but really nice job on yours.

[@SouthwestChief]

Would the ATS inductors be placed before the signal? That is how Santa Fe/BNSF locates them. Not sure how of if NS uses them though.

[@Wayne2224]

NS do you have a video on how you actually use JMRI to get it setup? LOVE What you do and your videos thank you so much for taking your time to show us!

[@nsmodeler24]

Cody, take a look at the video description for some of my future videos that ill be making!

[@Wayne2224]

***** Guess i should of read that, usually just watch your videos cause I enjoy them so much! Thanks!

[@RailfanKaleb]

0:21 the signal on the left corner, the one with a 1 lit signal, they actually have those signals?

[@palmettostaterailfan7019]

Can JMRI and/or CTC, CATS, can work on AC power?

[@TheTrainFan]

Can you do a video of your locomotive roster?

[@simpsons4567]

Are you modeling ns signal aspects cause the double yellow usually means a approach diverging cause the sequence goes clear advanced approach stop or if your crossing over or going into a siding it would go from a clear to advanced approach to approach diverging to diverging approach to a stop I work for the railroad see signals every day etc I'm just curious if you are modeling after all the ns funky signal aspects they have or had but way cool man keep up the work

[@nsmodeler24]

Yes, the signaling aspects that we are modeling and found on the prototype divisions can be found in the following ling. www.railroadsignals.us/rulebooks/ns00/index.htm

[@ColinMucha]

It should be approach (Solid yellow) would then get you to restricting. Flashing yellow is approach medium, which would then get you to an approach, then to the restricting. Unless NS has their own goofy signals to get you to restricting. Double yellow and flashing yellow are both Approach mediums. Advanced approach is Yellow over green.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the input! This is correct for NS though. They have their own signal rules. (for the ex-southern lines at least) We are modeling lines on the NS piedmont division and I have them set up prototypically. Yellow over yellow is an advanced approach, meaning that the next signal will be yellow (approach). Flashing yellow here is an Approach Restricted, meaning that the next signal will be a restricting. Thanks for the input though! Im always open to advice.

[@shlutzday]

Awesome layout, do u use peck switches? And what code is your track, 83 or 100??

[@claudecrump5518]

Looks good!

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

Looking great!!!!!! By the way, are you aware that a company called True Line Trains is releasing HO-Scale MP36PH-3C/MP36PH-3S locomotives? They're really nice how ever, they seem to have a lot of issues, so in many ways I recommend them and in many other ways I don't. I have 2 MP36s, 1 in the Metra scheme and another in the New Mexico Rail Runner scheme. But they're cool. I have a ton of videos of them up already.

[@upsd402]

Nice, was it easy to program?

[@NW917]

Great vid Josh! It seems so realistic! Sorry I don't understand JMRI, but is it strictly computer controlled signaling? or is it sensors in the track?

[@nsmodeler24]

Everything is monitored and controlled through a computer (JMRI), but it does include sensors for track blocks and switches that relay information back to the computer. Ill have some more in depth videos out soon! Thanks!

[@dexterdog62]

Wish BLMA would make that signal bridge in N scale... I could use a couple of those.

[@collegefootballfan7909]

cool video

[@JosephSchmeltzer]

very informative, ty

[@shininghappyperson7]

THE REALISM, IT HURTS.

[@arthurhouston3]

There are a lot of sets and hardware to get to this point no matter whos DCC system you use. You need a lot of pactients to do this. OH did I mention a lot of dollars. That signal bridge with the signals is not cheep. In NCE System BD20 Detector 15plus and AIU 01 to collect and send back to command station 14 BD 20s is another 40. Tortious machines 16 plus and on and on. Think twice before you get into this. Do you really need a full blown signal system??

[@GTI6speed]

My nigga, go back to school and learn how to spell. Second, if he has the funds and the will to install a full blown system, then let him.

[@BeardedForever]

GTI6speed You said Monica. LOL

[@arthurhouston3]

Selective comments.

[@arthurhouston3]

Comments were not for you, they were for all that watch, so mine your own business, for removed them anyway, so 1st amendment means nothing to you.

[@TheBruceli]

you layout it is too much for everything. no one will able to work on it. good for you. but not for everyone. too bad, I did not like it eathe. beside you maybe spend too much money on those little things you can do so far. image if you finished all switch and turnout how much money will cost you. and for such small layout, if it is a large layout think about all the cost. that it is impassable for most america rail fun modeler able to fordable. good luck.

[@nsmodeler24]

I'll be honest I am really not quite sure what your trying to say... If you do not like my videos or my layout though, you are by no means being forced or asked to watch them.