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Question about hidden staging occupancy detection and yard ladders... Track and electrical/DCC
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Regular poster 197 posts Onewolf Regular poster 197 posts
Onewolf

My layout will have a hidden return loop with double ended staging tracks inside the loop.  My plan has been to split this hidden track up into occupancy zones and use RR-Cirkits BOD8 occupancy detectors to detect and display status for each zone. My plan has been to use resistance wheel sets on cabooses and lighted passengers cars to detect 'the back end' of trains. 

I think I have noticed a major flaw in my plan:  The yard ladder zones are much shorter than the 'normal' train lengths.  Therefore while the 'middle' of the train (between the locomotives and the caboose) is traversing the yard ladders, the yard ladder zones will not detect as occupied.  Hmmmm. 

I'm sure other people have resolved this issue?  Resistor wheel sets on more rolling stock 'in the middle' of trains? At some point doesn't that become a headache?

Here is a crude diagram of the proposed occupancy zones:

_Staging.jpg 

- My layout build thread -
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Cadmaster Frequent poster 867 posts
Cadmaster

Pretty much the same as what

Pretty much the same as what Marc said. You can include at least a part of the single track tails in the ladder block. that may help you. The easiest/best way is to add resistors to wheels. HO scale is fairly easy to do, just a pain the a#$ if you get my drift. I did about 400 pieces of rolling stock a couple of months ago.

One other option (long shot) I use Digitrax BDL168 for occupancy and on those you have an option for delay. does RRcirkits offer that or maybe if your using JMRI or RR&Co a delay could be programmed in there for a slower release of the occupied block?

Neil.

Diamond River Valley Railway Company

http://www.dixierail.com
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akarmani Regular poster 298 posts
akarmani

I think I am concuring with the above

I don't see a reason for the yard ladders to be their own zone.  If a train is in one of the yard ladders it should be considered on the main.  Therefore the yard ladders zones should be part of the inbound main track into each ladder.  Per your diagram: the westbound main and rear ladder should be the same zone and the eastbound main and front ladder should be the same zone.

Art
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