Hi

I have a CS 2 and use K track on my passenger line. I use the S88(s) along with reeds and circuit tracks to activate signals and turn outs. I recently introduces circuit tracks as some reeds have failed or are not responding consistently. I am thinking of introducing some contact tracks but am not sure I understand sufficient details. For my education (and hopefully others) I have posed several questions.

Scenario 1. Simple station with entrance from the left and exit to the right. Signals at each end.
Track 2295 (page 217 of the 2020-2021 catalogue) indicates this can be lengthened as desired. For now, assume just these 2 tracks are used along with one other standard (180mm) section so as to match Marklin's suggestion of 2 track lenght. This would be placed at the exit, just before the signal. When a train (any set of wheels) is sitting on this section of track, the entrance signal would be turned red. When the train leaves, the entrance signal would turned green. The wiring would be as follows: 1 wire to the ground of the S88 and the other wire to one of the S88 inputs. P 94 of the "Running Trains Digitally with the Central Station 3' book shows a slightly different picture. Likely the instructions for 2295 show how this should be wired. But any explanation here would be appreciated.

Scenario 2. If the entire station area was included in the contact region (ie, beginning of the contact area is at the entrance and the end is at the exit) then once the first car (locomotive) entered the station area, the entrance signal would turn red. And when the last car left the station area, the entrance signal would turn green. If, a car detached from the consist and was sitting in the station, the entrance signal would stay red. This is a safety feature Marklin explains. Is this correct? Other things to consider?

Scenario . Marklin suggests a braking module (72442) be used to safely slow the locomotive. The would be a 3 track section. Another set of questions. Assume the breaking section is the last 3 tracks in the station (to the right). Would this be the way to set up both the braking section and the contact. One part of the contact track is at the entrance, the second part at the exit. The braking section would include 3 tracks, the last being the contact track. Correct? The description of 72442 mentions this works for digital locomotive with high-efficiency propulsion. Without reading the manual for each of my locomotives, is there a way to determine a locomotive is 'high-efficiency propulsion'?

It seems that scenario 2 can be applied to every block on the layout, with one piece of 2295 at the beginning and other other part at the end of each block. This would prevent the following locomotive from entering if a car detaches from the lead train. Are there any issues with this? One that comes to mind is the following. If the pick up shoe is at the back of the locomotive, the front wheels will enter the next block and turn a signal red of the prior block. Placement of the stop sections need to consider this property of contact tracks.

Thanks
Harvey

Jean

Thank you for this detailed response and sharing that wonderful video. Impressive - both the smoothness of the operation and the layout with wonderful scenery and accessories (in particular the coaling station and water refill),

Currently, I am thinking about contact sections - likely I'll install 1 and learn from this. Computer, with CS2, may be down the road. I am not looking to use brake sections but wanted to understand how that interacts with a contact section.

One clarification. In scenario 1, I did intend to say that 1 wire of the contact track goes to the ground of the S88 and the other wire to one of the S88 inputs. I believe you are stating the same.

One follow up on Computer control. The functionality you describe in the 3 bullet points suggest that sensors are needed so as to tell the computer that a train (any train) is in a section and then the computer can execute recorded steps. Correct? What type sensor?

One new question. On the picture of the CS2 you included I see that the loc symbol (to the right of the box with 29, bottom center) is to the left. This is the box labeled 'Fl.' Somewhere I had read that loc image should be moved to the right of the box. Do you know the implication or intent of the loc image being to the left or to the right? I have set all my memory items to the right and all the sensor and execution steps work as intended.

Again,
Thanks
Harvey