Crossing signals for Pandora

I just completed installing a set of crossing signals in the Pandora switching portion of my layout.  These crossing signals add a level of detail and animation that is eye-catching, and certainly fun to watch as a train approaches the road crossing.  The installation was simple, once I figured out the product to use.  The photo shows the circuit that I purchased, as well as the crossing signals themselves:



These are the products used to add animation to the road crossing in Pandora.  Note that I used two sets of the crossbucks to protect the two tracks.  Not shown are the photocells used to activate the crossbucks.

The Logic Rail Grade Crossing Pro is mounted under the layout.  The unit is provided with four photocells, which are installed between the ties, two on each side of the grade crossing.  As a train approaches the grade crossing, the first cell is covered, turning on the signals.  The circuit has built-in logic that maintains the flashing until the train has cleared the fourth photocell on the far side of the grade crossing.  This allows even short motive power, such as the Galloping Geese of the RGS, to correctly trigger the system.

D&RGW C-19 347, a Blackstone Models Consolidation, is approaching the grade crossing in Pandora.  Note the flashing LEDs of the NJ International Crossbucks.

Staging for the D&RGW

At a recent operating session, a suggestion was made by my friend Steve King that a staging yard should be added to enhance operation of the layout.  I thought that this was an excellent idea, and have since added such a yard.

I found a suitable location off of the Durango return loop.  The yard consists of four tracks, and is connected to the loop by a wye.  This allows trains to enter the staging yard from either direction, and allows trains to be turned on the wye.  Each track can be used to simulate a different destination, such as Silverton or Chama.  For example, a westbound train arriving in Durango can be sent to Silverton, which is represented by a track in the staging yard.  Once the train arrives in Silverton, it is held for an appropriate period of time, and then turned and returned to Durango.  Similarly, Eastbound trains to Chama are supported.

In a major departure from previous practice, I built the staging yard using flex track rather than handlaid track as on the rest of the layout.  I decided that if this staging yard was to be built in time to be useful, I needed to use quicker contstruction techniques!  I made use of Micro Engineering code 55 flex track, and LitCo Code 55 turnouts.  I was required to handlay the two curved turnouts on the return loop, though.  The turnouts are controlled by Tortoise switch machines and an NCE Switch8 decoder.

Rio Grande Southern No. 40, a Blackstone C-19, moves through the switch ladder of the new staging yard.

The addition of the staging yard was reasonably quick and painless, and has added another dimension to operating the layout.

Converting the layout to DCC

Operating the layout is one of my favorite activities.  Since the mainline was completed, construction activities, as such, have slowed down immensely.  When I built this layout, I knew that sound was required.  Therefore, I designed the layout to be operated by five operators using Pacific Fast Mail (PFM) Sound, and PFM-compatible systems.  The layout, of course, used cab control with common rail wiring.

As time moved on, and technology progressed, Digital Command Control (DCC) was developed.  A friend of mine, Stan Knotts, was a relatively early adopter of DCC, and installed the Digitrax system on his HO layout.  The simplified operation of the layout was very attractive, and I began to look at the possibility of converting the layout to DCC.  After a particularly vexing operating session on my HOn3 layout, where the operators were often crossing block boundaries with their trains, I decided to convert my layout to DCC.
Ah, but now the questions arise!  How much wiring had to be changed?  What system should I use?  How do I go about the actual conversion?  I decided to write an article that detailed the answers to these questions as solved on my layout.  I have posted it on this blog.  Click on this link DCC for the Denver & Rio Grande Western in HOn3 to read the article.  You may also access the article via the same link at the top of the page.  I hope that you find the information in it helpful to you as you consider converting your layout to DCC.  I can assure you, it will be worth the effort!