I’m close to finishing up the first of two wiring panels. This panel will house the BDL168, two DAC10’s, and the Digitrax Zephyr unit. The 2nd one will eventually house the SIGM20 models that’ll control signals.

Shaun Previous Layout

Yesterday my Athearn UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy arrived. It looks fantastic. I’m still hooking up my new wiring panel (see above) so haven’t been able to give it a test run. It’ll post a video as soon as I do.

Shaun Previous Layout

Just got the shipping notification today. My Athearn 4-8-8-4 Big Boy will arrive next Thursday on the 28th.

Shaun Previous Layout

A little info on the DAC10 & SIGM20.

After researching various hardware and software options for controlling turnouts and signals, I settled on using CML Electronics’ DAC10 and SIGM20 components.

The DAC10 is a 8 turnout DCC decorder card. It can control “snap” type switches, along with slow-motion ones like a Tortoise. It also has 8 input terminals, which you can use with a toggle switch for local turnout control or as a feedback input line, which is what I’ll be doing. This will give a known turnout state back to the Loconet network.

From the website:

• The features of the DAC10 include:
  • 8 high current multi-purpose outputs; each may be programmed to control solenoid type point motors (e.g. Peco) or continuously powered motors (e.g. Tortoise). Output type and timing is individually programmable for each output. An integral capacitor discharge unit is provided for momentary action motors. One output can throw two solenoid point motors allowing control of two points at crossings etc.
  • 10 sensor / switch inputs may be individually configured for controlling the 8 local outputs, or for generating Loconet sensor or point position feedback messages.
  • Each output may be controlled by DCC commands or by local sensor / switch inputs.
  • Each output may be programmed to follow another output (e.g. for crossings).
  • Operating power is derived from the DCC track input, with an auxiliary AC / DC power feed available if required;
  • Full operator configuration available by programming Configuration Variables (CVs);
  • An interface is provided for point position feedback and/or sensor input.
  • Display of the 8 output states is available via an optional add-on board, the DTX8.
  • NEW – screw terminals! We have been asked to improve output connections by a few customers

The SIGM20 is an 8 signal head controller, controlling 3 LEDs per head. The main selling point for using the SIGM20 for my signals is that all signal logic is programmed using CML’s software using real basic commands (block 2-14 is occupied, switch 12 is thrown, etc…) and the logic all resides on the SIGM20 memory. So no external hardware (ie: a computer) is required. Of course if you wanted a CTC like setup you’ll want a computer with dispatching panels, but I’m using ABS.

• The SIGM20 drives either eight, 3-aspect signals or six, 4-aspect signals
  
• LED signals: these can be 2, 3 or 4 aspect, or “searchlight” type;
  
• NEW – simulation of “soft” lighting & dimming of lights: brightness ramps up or down over approximately half a second for more realistic looking signal lamps.
• Automatic signal logic, controlled in response to DCC and LocoNet activity:
  • The signals go red when the block ahead of them is occupied – sensed by LocoNet messages from block detectors (e.g. BDL168);
    
  • Signals will be amber if the next signal ahead is red;
    
  • Signals go red if the trackwork is set against them (e.g. if a point is not set correctly);
    
  • Track can be set for running in both directions; signal state is then sensitive to the running direction active at the time;
    
  • Running direction can be set automatically by train movements, or by operator control
    
  • ……and many other functions.

I also plan on incorporating Railroad & Co’s Train Controller software down the road for automatic train operation. This application, while pricey, is one of the best software packages I’ve seen for model railroad operation. I tried using JMRI but had issues with it “freaking out” on throttles and causing headaches. I’ll post more in the coming year about Train Controller when I get around to start creating schedules and what not.

Shaun Previous Layout