Joined: 11/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Buenos Aires, Castelar
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Hello everybody. I was given a small set (S + E) when I was 6 years old.. (1977) which I am really fond to and used throughout my childhood A couple years ago I decided to expand it so I bought the necessary tracks, signals and crossings to build the Example 2 which is presented in the 1972 tracks layout book The tracks are all set but I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to combine the signals and/ or train directions in which this should be operated. I understand the wiring process but the track switching and isolation is giving me a hard time (I am posting here the layout scheme) I plan to run 2 trains on this. Also, the book mentions automatic train control.. I assume you need a different track on certain points to trigger the signals by the passing train? Finally and as a side project I am considering working on an arduino based control box for the signals that emulate the control boxes but with push-buttons and leds to show the state of each signal and crossing. Has anyone work with this? I did a search here but could not find anything on the analog M tracks. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope to learn a lot from such a great community. 
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 3 users liked this useful post by carlostau
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Carlos Welcome to the forum. Your project is very nice.
Standard signal wiring 1- Before the signal you need a track length of 360 mm to be isolated on both ends: the Stop Section 2- one of the signal contacts (red cable with a contact shoe) must be connected outside of the stop section and the other one connected to the stop section 3- make sure that all rails outside the stop sections receive power by adding the necessary connections to the B output of your transformer.
Additions to signal for bi-directional operation
Principle: - add a relay driven by direction-dependent contact tracks (5146, 5147 or 5213 respectively 1/2 straight, normal radius, parallel radius) - connect the first contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the reverse direction, the relay contact will close thus feeding the stop track so that the loco will not stop on a closed signal "coming from behind". - connect the second contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the front direction, the relay contact will open thus not feeding the stop track so that the loco will stop on a closed signal when coming from the front.(see point 2 above) The relay contacts are connected in parallel with the signal I hope this helps Jean
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 1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Carlos Welcome to the forum. Your project is very nice.
Standard signal wiring 1- Before the signal you need a track length of 360 mm to be isolated on both ends: the Stop Section 2- one of the signal contacts (red cable with a contact shoe) must be connected outside of the stop section and the other one connected to the stop section 3- make sure that all rails outside the stop sections receive power by adding the necessary connections to the B output of your transformer.
Additions to signal for bi-directional operation
Principle: - add a relay driven by direction-dependent contact tracks (5146, 5147 or 5213 respectively 1/2 straight, normal radius, parallel radius) - connect the first contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the reverse direction, the relay contact will close the feeding of the stop track so that the loco will not stop on a closed signal "coming from behind". - connect the second contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the front direction, the relay contact will open the feeding of the stop track so that the loco will stop on a closed signal when coming from the front.(see point 2 above) The relay contacts are connected in parallel with the signal's contacts I hope this helps Jean
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Joined: 11/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Buenos Aires, Castelar
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Hi Carlos Welcome to the forum. Your project is very nice.
Standard signal wiring 1- Before the signal you need a track length of 360 mm to be isolated on both ends: the Stop Section 2- one of the signal contacts (red cable with a contact shoe) must be connected outside of the stop section and the other one connected to the stop section 3- make sure that all rails outside the stop sections receive power by adding the necessary connections to the B output of your transformer.
Additions to signal for bi-directional operation
Principle: - add a relay driven by direction-dependent contact tracks (5146, 5147 or 5213 respectively 1/2 straight, normal radius, parallel radius) - connect the first contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the reverse direction, the relay contact will close thus feeding the stop track so that the loco will not stop on a closed signal "coming from behind". - connect the second contact track so that when approaching the signal stop zone from the front direction, the relay contact will open thus not feeding the stop track so that the loco will stop on a closed signal when coming from the front.(see point 2 above) The relay contacts are connected in parallel with the signal I hope this helps Jean
Thank you for your input. Unfortunately due the current situation, I cannot get the contact tracks here in Argentina. So I think I will have to manage the circulation manually.. If I understand correctly, the track plan shows where the signal contacts are placed with these black triangles. Is that correct? Or are those the isolation points? I will try to upload a pic to see if that clarifies the point. Thanks again
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Carlos Originally Posted by: carlostau  If I understand correctly, the track plan shows where the signal contacts are placed with these black triangles. Is that correct? Or are those the isolation points?
No, the triangles show where the insulation pieces need installing. The contact shoes need to be installed between rails where no insulation pieces are. One shall be in the middle of the stop section (typically 2 to 3 rails) and the other outside. Be sure that all sections outside of stops are powered at all times. I include an old Märklin manual on signals 0340Signalbook EN.pdf (5,626kb) downloaded 63 time(s).Cheers Jean |
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Joined: 11/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Buenos Aires, Castelar
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Hi Carlos Originally Posted by: carlostau  If I understand correctly, the track plan shows where the signal contacts are placed with these black triangles. Is that correct? Or are those the isolation points?
No, the triangles show where the insulation pieces need installing. The contact shoes need to be installed between rails where no insulation pieces are. One shall be in the middle of the stop section (typically 2 to 3 rails) and the other outside. Be sure that all sections outside of stops are powered at all times. I include an old Märklin manual on signals 0340Signalbook EN.pdf (5,626kb) downloaded 63 time(s).Cheers Jean Thanks Jean! Yes, it makes sense. In fact upon re reading the track plan I noticed the definitions used on the books to identify signals, houses, etc on the plans. Will try to make it work. I did notice it needs a 7211 box which I guess is for the circuit separation of the trains? Not sure yet how these work. Are they mere on/off switches? thanks
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Carlos 7211 boxes are a group of 4 independent switches (no common pole) packed in a blue control-room-like buttons. They are perfect for powering branch lines The 7210 boxes are very similar to the 7211, the only difference is that all switches are all connected a a same common pole.  Cheers Jean |
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Joined: 11/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Buenos Aires, Castelar
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Joined: 11/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Buenos Aires, Castelar
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Hi Carlos Originally Posted by: carlostau  If I understand correctly, the track plan shows where the signal contacts are placed with these black triangles. Is that correct? Or are those the isolation points?
No, the triangles show where the insulation pieces need installing. The contact shoes need to be installed between rails where no insulation pieces are. One shall be in the middle of the stop section (typically 2 to 3 rails) and the other outside. Be sure that all sections outside of stops are powered at all times. I include an old Märklin manual on signals 0340Signalbook EN.pdf (5,626kb) downloaded 63 time(s).Cheers Jean Hi Jean I found a color track plan for this which kinda makes it a bit clearer. Based on what I read I have marked the places where the signal contacts should go. Does it look ok to you? 
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