Install Dwarf Signals For Your Model Railroad (213)

In video #212 I reviewed the DCC Concepts Ground Signal System and provided some tips on installing them. Today I want to show you exactly how to install a pair of their dwarf ground signals on my Piedmont Southern layout. I think this will demonstrate just how quick and easy it is to add these on to existing DC or DCC powered switch machines like the Cobalt iP Analog, Omega, or Digital switch machines or Tortoise and similar DC powered switch machines. So let's get started!

[@schadowolf]

Another great video Larry! I am actually reading you DCC Projects & Applications Vol 4, Wiring Your Model Railroad, and Wiring Projects for Your Model Railroad while on travel. Fortunately, I received them prior to my trip :) I must say being able to see these videos helps me visualize more fully your well written manuals. Thank you again for sharing!

[@TheDCCGuy]

I hope you enjoy them, they were a big job to produce, especially the projects book. I worked on it for 18 months but I did get a lot of things accomplished on the layout!

[@kraigsickels3918]

Wonderful video Larry 👍 ! Little projects like that add realism and operating fun !

[@frederickcollard692]

As an alternative, having spoke to Dcc concepts people at Settle, used the NCE Mini Panel + switches to send DCC signals to the cab bus to operate the ground signals & points using macros. Thanks for your hints and tips.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes DCC Concepts have an impressive range of DCC items and you will see another one in an upcoming video, can’t say more yet.

[@tonyl7418]

Larry, on those small connectors, I just carefully lift the locking tabs a bit and slide out the terminal.. when I want to reconnect, just push the terminals back in. I use the point of a #11 blade. Works great.

[@ricter591]

Thanks Again Larry, Bear 🐾 Creek🚂 RR, KY.

[@larrydee8859]

Great series, Larry. Thanks again.

[@cbgadget4740]

Nice job Larry, thanks for sharing

[@ronduz1281]

👍👍👍👍Great video Larry

[@nicholasbishop3300]

This was great Larry Nick Australia

[@tinytowntrainstv]

This a great channel, helpful for all gauges! Definitely liking and subscribing! Thanks. T4

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Thanks Larry very helpful.

[@tvtoms]

I've nipped the little fingernail grips off before with OK results on the normal JST sized plugs, but those 1mm ones I haven't messed with yet. In reference to getting them through a small hole.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, probably just easier to drill two holes and join them into one long enough.

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

MegaPoints Controllers have just release a great new board for control of 2, 3 and 4 aspect signals.

[@paulpotter7188]

Great series Larry. Any plans to do a segment on occupancy detection and operating semaphore signals?That is pre 1950 block signalling. Looking forward to future videos. Thanks for your great work.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I doubt it. I installed one in Charlottesville and it was a PITA to just do 2 positions and I can’t i again working with 3. By my time period most semaphores on the mainline were gone and only remained at stations to signal trains to slow or stop for orders.

[@MrAsBBB]

Very enjoyable!

[@andrewstevenson5449]

I guess the other way round, if you only had the larger cable splicer thingie would be to solder some tails of thicker wire to the ends of the DCC Concepts loose wires. But then, you're probably using the splicer connectors to avoid doing any soldering. I'd have given in and soldered the DCC Concepts wires to the now exposed cores of the black & white wires.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, that would be an option. However more and more I like the option of being able to plug and unplug a device from the power bus wires and the T-taps make that possible. I now keep a supply of sizes on hand.

[@thomasgrassi8817]

Larry, Great video I am in the process of installing signals on my Layout. I use Light-It to connect them to my DCC Accessory bus Line I also my a signal guide that way the signals are always drilled the same distance from the center of the track It looks like a cross made it out of Plastic Card I send you a phot in email I also started using more T-connectors I starting to like them better now

[@TheDCCGuy]

Good idea Tom.

[@randydobson1863]

HELLO LARRY ITS IS RANDY AND I LIKE VIDEO IS COOL THANKS LARRY FRIENDS RANDY

[@MrAsBBB]

Brilliant!

[@llewj5087]

Larry, I believe I answered my own question which can be found in your video #212.

[@Conrail3385]

Great idea

[@larryhurd8111]

Great video Larry, I like how you discuss technical options and why or what may happen during the process. How would you wire these in DC format without tortoise switch machines and the use of only manual caboose ground throws?

[@TheDCCGuy]

While they can be powered using either DC or DCC, you do have to have a way to flip the polarity in order to change to directional lighting. This typically would be done using the contacts on a switch machine but a SPDT switch would work as well. Caboose does make a ground throw with a switch built in as I showed in video #261.

[@tonymarsh8653]

Thanks Larry, great set of videos 212-213, Can I/we use these Dwarf signals with other DC points, like Atlas or Peco? or do I/we need to use the Tortoise or cobalt type switch machines?

[@TheDCCGuy]

No, they are designed to be used with the DCCconcepts iP Digital but can also be used with a Tortoise which does require special wiring to work.

[@dannyrowe7016]

This works with koto n scale rt.

[@eXtremeFX2010]

Hello, a question I have is: How would I use this on Manual Throws where the polarity is controlled through Tam-Valley Frog Juicer boards. My turnouts are not motorized but wired appropriately Left / Right to Power Bus then Electro Frog goes to the Tam Valley Frog Juicer. How could I wire in these dwarfs into my manual turnouts system? I hope I am making sense? In other words I'm all wired up with polarity control. Just need dwarfs to work when I pull my manual throws.

[@deanpurcell7771]

Great video Larry. Are you planning on a signal for the facing point movement?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I guess facing point signals could be added by simply installing them back to back and connecting them using the 3 way connector I showed in the previous video. I’ll have to see whether Southern did them that way. I suspect not as this is a right hand running situation so few trains would be heading north on a southbound track.

[@rwilson8]

Thanks for the video. Have you ever used or have any plans for signals that use infrared sensors, like Azatrak brand or the like?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have built my own and used versions from Boulder Creek Engineering. The problem with using these for block detection and signaling is they detect when a train passes a given point but cannot tell if a loco or car is sitting on the track at any intermediate point. They are good for things like point detection and crossing gates, but in my opinion are not good for block detection signaling.

[@markgoodrich941]

Where I worked they informally called dwarf signals, Monkey signals. I never knew why. They probably don't call them that now.

[@jonathanlake6053]

Hi Larry, I'm wondering how you repaired the wires that you previously spiced where the connection failed, there will be no insulation left on the wires, did you use the same splice area with the new connector.or repair the insulation?cheers Jon.

[@TheDCCGuy]

The exposed area is so small it doesn’t matter. I avoid trying to hit the same spot as it might weaken the wire.

[@PaulGarwood]

Please can these ground signal interface be used in conjunction with the DCC Concepts RPM-SDB-1 ?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have no idea what a RPM-SDB-1 is and a search of their website came up empty. I suggest you email them at [e-mail]

[@johneveritt3976]

Howzit Larry : As A Matter Of Interest; Did You Choose The Placement Of These Dwarf / Ground Signals As An Indication Of The Points Of Passing-Clearance For The Respective Diverging Tracks From The Switch ? Cheers For Now / John

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes, any closer and you would risk fouling the opposite track. I also checked with my biggest steam locos to make sure steps and other appendages didn’t catch on the signals.

[@kennedygauger4680]

Excellent video. Do you know if these dwarfs would be compatible with the Digitrax SE8C signal control system?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have not used the SE8C so am not sure. It depends on how you power and control them. If a standard LED will work then so should one of these, You could just clip off the plastic connector on the LED wire and hook it up just like any other LED signal. However the interface may not work as it depends on a reversing DC power supply to drive it.

[@llewj5087]

Larry, could you explain where you obtained the base for the dwarf signals? Maybe, I missed something in your video. I also have a tortoise machine installed in the location where I would like to install dwarf signals.

[@TheDCCGuy]

They come as part of the device but in the previous video they were black whereas I painted them concrete grey as I said in the video.

[@sierra3842]

Greetings Larry, I was wondering who makes these signals and the circuit board for them? I am looking to add signals for the first time to my layout.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I covered all that in the video and gave links to their website in the description.

[@DubaiTrains]

Hi Larry, Trust you are doing well. Do you know of any signal system that works without automated turnouts and without position sensors on the layout? So the signals will be controlled by a switchboard. Maybe the atlas system? Perhaps an idea for a video. Wish you all the best.

[@TheDCCGuy]

You could do that using just about any signals available. Just create your control panel, install toggle switches to route power to the LEDs in your signals similar to how I showed how to wire up the control panel LEDs in video #209. Then just flip away.

[@DubaiTrains]

@@TheDCCGuy Thanks! I'll check video 209 out.

[@jhoodfysh]

That was excellent video, I sure have the itch to do something like that. Larry, would bicolor (red green) leds work too?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I don’t think they are offered in a bicolor LED.

[@jhoodfysh]

@@TheDCCGuy okay thank you.

[@DrDiff952]

I wish I could find them in N scale

[@Chinquapinmayor]

Is there a way I can email you about some questions with LCC. And wiring up a tortoise switch to a rotary knob?

[@TheDCCGuy]

The only thing I know about LCC is that it is supposed to be a parallel system for controlling layout accessories and interfacing devices. Most manufacturers are waiting for their customers to tell them what they want with LCC and the modelers are waiting for manufacturers to come up with stuff that uses LCC so they will know what it does. At MR we considered doing articles on it several times over the last 5-6 years but kept putting it on a back burner until there was actually something to write about. There have been a couple of articles in MR over the last 20 years or so on using rotary switches to control Tortoises but all I have done is read them and continue to use my pushbutton and toggles switches. Consequently I doubt I will be of much use to you.