Based on an Idea from April 2017 MR

In the April 2017 MR an article described a method of using paper signal templates to dispatch a layout via what is essentially "poor man's CTC". This system requires the dispatcher to place the appropriate template in front of a red signal template at each signal that would display other than a stop aspect. When the signals have been placed the train crew can proceed on signal indication and remove the overlay as they "knock down" the signals during their journey. This resets the signal to red for any following trains. 

Obviously this entails many compromises, but at least as many advantages. The elimination of a ton of wiring, no need to use powered switch machines, eliminating the need for detection, and no need to program a CTC panel are among the main advantages. I figure I can implement this system in a month of model railroading time for less than a hundred dollars versus a couple thousand dollars minimum and no idea how much time (minimum of a year is my estimate) for a full blown CTC system when you count the cost of signals, control modules, detection loops and wheelsets, and switch machines. Time is money too. 

As I thought through the idea, though, I did come up with some potential improvements. The main one is making the signals look a bit more realistic than using paper templates. I figured, why not build a semi-scale model of a signal and build it in a way that it's easy to just apply the proper aspect overlay to display whether you want clear, approach, or stop displayed. My first attempt involved a pin on the signal head that would allow me to hang the proper face over the red signal. It worked, but it was kind of fiddly. Here's a look at the first signal I glued up:

 That worked, but as I said the templates were fiddly-pretty small, and hard to handle. And you have to be pretty steady to fit the head over a small styrene pin. So at the suggestion of a friend, I tried tiny, tiny magnets mounted on the back of the red template and a small scrap of steel glued to the back of the other overlays. These are also slightly oversized to make them easier to handle (and to see) and I found some colored 5 mm jewels in the Wal Mart craft aisle that dress things up a bit. Here are some examples:

Each of these has either a green or yellow aspect displayed, over the permanently installed red aspect, supported by a magnet. One other advantage of using magnets is the ability to just hang the templates on a magnetic strip on the fascia below the location of the signal for storage. The signal masts for these are small dowels. 

In subsequent comments to this post I will explain how I used my Silhouette Cameo print and cut feature to make the signal templates and the construction of the signals themselves. My aim in this comment was to provide some background information on the project. I'm interested other's observations on this idea. 

Jim

And Then Came the Signal Bridge

At the west end of Sheridan Yard, the heart of my railroad, in real life there is a signal bridge. After seeing a photo of this bridge, I decided the layout needed something similar and so I set work creating such a thing. I believe that even though this is an ex-CBQ line, the signal bridge is ex-NP as it matches a number I have seen and photographed along NP lines in Minnesota and North Dakota. I started fabricating a model from Evergreen styrene and the curved support that I drew and cut out using the Silhouette. Here is the basic model prior to beginning to add detail such as signal heads and railings to protect the worker from falling. 

Here's another shot after I spent some time getting the details worked out. Just about ready for a coat of paint at this time, only a couple more details to add.  

Each signal head is configured like the pole mounted signals, with a tiny magnet on the back of the red head used to attach overlays as needed. 

And just like that, this project has outgrown what I initially intended and taken on a life of its own. Sometimes it seems like model railroading leads me where it wants rather than the reverse. And to tell you the truth I like it that way!

It looks better than the

It looks better than the paper things.  Some thought that article was the April fools article, but the article was so long, with page after page of diagrams, signals, explanations, etc., etc. that I figured, OK, it's legit.  So yours look good, like a real signal.

I'm a lone wolf operator on a small layout, so I have no clue about the complexity of a big layout, with many operators, running trains as the prototype does.

Mike.

Thanks

Yes, I remember thinking it was the April Fool's article when I first saw it. Then I read it a couple of times, and the problem that they were solving seemed so similar to my struggles that I had to accept it as real. Once I got over that hump it made a lot of sense. I'm not totally convinced this is going to work like I want, but the commitment is so much less than going full on CTC that I figure it's worth a try. Thanks for the compliment. 

Jim

Mike, I also looked at your layout photos

Looking good!

Faux CTC

Its an interesting approach, I would think that having the dispatcher running all over the layout room clearing signals would be very time consuming and delay a lot of trains while the dispatcher is "clearing one train, the other trains out on the railroad are waiting.

Just use "track warrants" but make them all verbal.

"Engine 1234 west proceed from west Anna to Cleburne and hold the main."

Here's another concept, clear all the signals on the main and the dispatcher just hangs an approach where he wants a train to head in and a stop if you wants to hold a train on the main.   If your traffic density is lower, then normal green might be easier, if the density is higher, then normal red might be better.

Well, thank you.  I

Well, thank you.  I appreciate the comments.

Mike.

The Signal Bridge is Silver

Got the final handrails installed and shot it with a coat of paint. Ready for service!

Santa 've loco trade

Would you consider trading your Santa 've loco for a EMD f7 Norfolk southern dc HO loco

Updating the Signals on the Cheap Project

I just realized I haven't updated this since January. Time flies when you are fighting health problems. Medical issues eliminated any layout work for the last 6 months or so, just getting back to the point where I can safely negotiate the stairs down to the basement again. 

So the last couple of weeks I have gotten back to making and installing the homemade "CTC" signals at all the control points on the layout. I ended up with a total of 12 single headed signals and 8 double headed signals, along with the signal bridge shown earlier in the thread which would count as two more single heads. I still need to figure out how I am going to control access to the signaled portion of the layout from the yard tracks. 

Last week I had a few guys over for a shakedown session with the new signals. I served as dispatcher, which with these manual signals involves walking around and setting the signals to the proper aspect and throwing the turnouts at the CTC Control Points. The train crews "knock down" the signals by removing the green or yellow aspect when the train passes the signal mast. 

Turns out this keeps the dispatcher busy. Not as busy as trying to write and juggle track warrants, but plenty busy. One of the main suggestions by the visiting operators during the post-session debrief was to assign someone as yardmaster and have them also handle the signals at each end of the yard. That is a good idea and will be the plan going forward. It should help to lighten the load on the dispatcher as well. 

Here are a couple of photos from the session. 

All in all, I'm pleased and think it's worth continuing to work on the system to try and get the bugs out. More op sessions are in my future!

Jim