N SCALE LAYOUT UPDATE: Connecting the signals

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Coming up soon will be a video showing how I control these signals via the CATS Dispatcher system. And don’t forget the promised start of the scenery!!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Hey, Peter. I know this wasn't the main subject of this video, but I love the idea of holding modules under the layout with the cabinet magnets. Brilliant!

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Yes, I was looking for a quick-release system to be able to remove mounting modules quickly & easily. I had a box of cabinet magnets and thought I’d give it a go. Works great!

[@mikerubynfs]

Another way to terminate the enamelled wires is to strip the insulation off about 10mm fold over once or twice and crimp a 0.5mm bootlace ferrule on the folded part. I find at least one fold is required for the crimp to grip. I haven't any crimped ones fail yet, unlike if put straight into a terminal and the ferrule is much larger to handle.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

That might work for the larger magnet wire used with HO signals. This wire is so thin you’d have to fold it about 10 times for it to be thick enough 😳 However I prefer having an appropriately coloured wire soldered on - easier to know what the LED colour is

[@Howie2025]

Nice looking signals, I’m envious. I’m interested in how all this works with JMRI but I’m sure you’ll cover that in a future video. Keep up the good work and vlogs Peter.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Thanks David! I’m using CATS for the signals, which is a dispatcher overlay over JMRI. So much easier to create modern dispatcher panels (look at my earlier reply to N Scale Cajon Subdivision’s comment, with links to CATS. I will indeed cover this in a future video

[@sernajrlouis]

Nice signals. Great video

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Great, thanks!

[@CajonSub]

Great work Peter as always. Is the next video - “how to setup signals in JMRI”? Thanks for sharing. - Steve

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Hi Steve! Glad you liked the video! Unfortunately next video is not about JMRI as I almost threw the computer out the window trying to do signals in JMRI! I'm using CATS, which is the overlay over JMRI that is for modern-style dispatcher panels. So much easier to do panels and signals using that!

[@CajonSub]

@@ChicagoSubNScale 😂😂😂 Been there, done that. A video of that works too, just interested in learning how to program the signals. Thanks for the tip on JMRI - might have to check out CATS. Is it a download like JMRI too? - Steve

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

@@CajonSub It's an overlay over JMRI. It uses JMRI PanelPro as the 'engine', but makes it so much easier to do signalling and dispatching! cats4ctc.wikidot.com/ There's a great KZbin series on it as well over on Keystone Rails called 'Herding CATS' - kzbin.info/aero/PLfmcarbF8DzEG9taeiSSWonbz3h6VQs3F

[@Vman7757]

I do have a question. Who makes your signal bridges? I am planning out my N scale signal system Now. I have Digitrax.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

They come from Showcase Miniatures - their Steel Signal Bridge Have a look at my tutorial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppipdZdmgq12i7s

[@Vman7757]

@@ChicagoSubNScale I did. Ordering a few. Some of the other signals too. I have some Sunrise Dummy signals I think I can make them functional. Thank you so much for the information.

[@ChicagoSubNScale]

Only a pleasure! Let me know how you get on! Peter