C-WW I'm looking at adding a signaling system to my model railroad. I'm looking for an affordable detection system. Any one got any ideas? [ March 29, 2006, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: watash ]
I have been researching this for a while now trying to decide myself. You aren't going to find anything that is cheap. You have lots of options. I personally am leaning towards a computer run application to reduce the spaghetti wiring required with most traditional detection/signal systems. I have pretty well settled on CTI (see http://www.cti-electronics.com/). By using a computer you use computer software to do the logic instead of miles of wire. CTI offers a lot of Model Railroad automation but I am just interested in signaling. If you are good at building your own you might to also look at http://www.rr-cirkits.com/. They sell detection PC boards and complete kits. This is also a computer based system. Don't forget the signals themselves. Those take quit a few pennies. In addition to the signals, detection and signal logic you have to have something to drive the signals. The CTI boards are the most cost effective I have found. Good luck and post with what you decide on.
ncng is right, signalling is NOT cheap. My club has decided to go with Logic Rail's system (called the Signal Master). It really depends on what you want the system to do. Our requirements included DCC compatibility, CTC operation, APB operation, and the ability to drive searchlight signals. The addy for Logic Rail is http://www.logicrailtech.com/. We also looked at Ataras Engineering's system, which can be found at http://www.wsaeng.com/Signaling_Solution/. Hope this gets you off to a start.
