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Avoiding collisions on crossings


PeterLoader
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Hi

I have two circuits that cross each other. I want to shut off current to the track approaching the crossings on one circuit when a train is routed to cross via the other circuit. Routinely this shouldn't happen but operator error is bound to occur at some point.

Clearly i could use manual switches, but it would be better to do it through DCC. I am using railmaster and elink to control all the point motors and have set up various routes -  ideally i would like the selecting of a route to determine which track is powered through the crossing. Is there some clever way of using an accessory decoder or controlling on off switches via railmaster?

Many thanks in anticipation.

You can see my plan at http://dawlishinoo.co.uk/?page_id=26 - the cross overs are on the left - the layout is designed like this to avoid gradients ( except the one rising on the torbay line).

Peter

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If you have a spare output on one of your accessory decoders just use it to drive a SPDT latching relay (if it is a solenoid type decoder) or a normal relay (steady state decoder).

 

You can include this relay in the routes. You will either power the 4-track route, or the 2-track route.

 

Will you have signals? these can be interlocked too, and they will help your drivers know when they can go or not.

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A few companies produce ready made relay devices that can be connected to suitable point motor accessory switches or can be triggered by accessory decoder outputs.

 

Train-Tech and Gaugemaster have such devices as do DCC Concepts.

 

Phone DCC Concepts and ask them if their Cobalt REX is suitable.

The blurb and instruction sheet say that it can be used for interlocking of routes.

 

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/cobalt-relay-extension-board/
 

https://www.dccconcepts.com/themencode-pdf-viewer-sc/?tnc_pvfw=ZmlsZT1odHRwczovL3d3dy5kY2Njb25jZXB0cy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDIvU00tUkVYLW1hbnVhbC1BNC5wZGYmc2V0dGluZ3M9MTExMTExMTExMTExMTExMTEmbGFuZz1lbi1VUw==#page=&zoom=auto&pagemode=

Edited by Ron Ron Ron
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You need to ensure you can't set up the second route until the train on the first route has cleared the crossing. Otherwise at some stage you will change the points under a train or stop the first train slap bang across the crossing and achieve exactly what you tried to avoid. Its why my loft layout was never completed, I designed the circuitry but couldn't afford all the bits.  It worked with reed switches under the brake vans at the end of trains, and relied on passenger trains only running in one direction and goods only having brake vans at the rear, even then simultaneous arrivals from both routes would have confused the hell out of it

Ironically enough back in the 1950's this sort of thing was a doddle as you could have full track circuiting with 3 rail.  Amazing how far back we have slipped operation wise while trying to improve the visuals.

  • Agree 1
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