 Joined: 04/06/2019(UTC) Posts: 55 Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Hi all,
First of all apologies if the topic is repeated. I was searching in the forum but I did not found exactly what I was looking for.
I am in the final phase of planning my future layout, which is going to be quite small, I will simply be running the locos via the CS3 events, therefore I concluded that I do not want to cut the current from the track as the Märklin signals do.
So, my question is: what is the best option for cosmetic signals that will in any case be controlled via the CS3?
Just standard Märklin signals without using the option of cutting the current?
Many thanks in advance!
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,884 Location: Michigan, Troy
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The older color light or semiphore, or hobby signals will work with an M83 decoder, move and or change colors. You would just not connect them with a blocked current section, and insulate the tips of the wires for that.
You realize you need contact tracks or contact or reed switches in order to trigger events. You trains will not stop at signals either.
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 1 user liked this useful post by marklinist5999
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Joined: 04/06/2019(UTC) Posts: 55 Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Yes, I am planning to have contact sections, so the trains, can break or stop, following the events.
Is there any option for light signals? I would prefer them as I will model German eras V-VI
I believe I could use the option of the “star up” signals + M84, but not sure it is a good option.
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 480 Location: USA
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I like signals, so have many on my digitalized m track layout. I use various old style signals with the red break wires unsoldered and a ground connect added (instead of using connection plate). The signals are individually controlled by CS3+ via M83s. You can also connect them with track turnouts and such, to reduce number of M83 modules. As someone already mentioned, you need contact tracks or circuit sensors to engage signals automatically and to control train actions (like stop and go).
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1 user liked this useful post by BenP
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 Joined: 03/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,571
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Cheapest option, and performing well, is to get some Viessmann signals and their decoder modules (5213).
No need to buy expensive Marklin signals and M84 modules.
You could also built your own signals which can be quite fun.
And with control automation you are heading the right direction with merely using signals as a light accessory and not to use them to actually control the automation.
Best Regards
Lasse |
Digital 11m2 layout / C (M&K) tracks / Era IV / CS3 60226 / Train Controller Gold 9 with 4D sound. Mainly Danish and German Locomotives. |
2 users liked this useful post by Danlake
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Originally Posted by: Pasquiles  Hi all,
First of all apologies if the topic is repeated. I was searching in the forum but I did not found exactly what I was looking for.
I am in the final phase of planning my future layout, which is going to be quite small, I will simply be running the locos via the CS3 events, therefore I concluded that I do not want to cut the current from the track as the Märklin signals do.
So, my question is: what is the best option for cosmetic signals that will in any case be controlled via the CS3?
Just standard Märklin signals without using the option of cutting the current?
Many thanks in advance! Hi Your approach lead to 2 possibilities: - manual control of trains ( you, as a driver, must obey signals and someone has to set the signals (contact tracks?) - PC-driven trains where events (sensors) order trains to start, to stop only by sending digital orders This second approach cannot be made using a CS2, CS3 etc because none of them follow the position of each train. I use Rocrail because it is very powerful, has a nice forum and there is no blackmail with new releases. Cosmetic signals: since they serve only cosmetic purposes, they can be from any manufacturers (Märklin is not the cheapest). It also depends on the type of signals you wish to use (semaphores or light signals) Some obvious remarks: hidden places don't need signals, light signals oriented in the "wrong" way can be dummies Cheers Jean |
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1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 19/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,049
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Hello Pasquiles,
You might want to look at Schneider Signale. They are very reasonably priced and available from Huenerbein. The back of the leds require a bit of black paint but that is a small price to pay for their lower cost.
Regards,
Roger |
Modeling Immensee, mile/km 0 on the Gottard. SBB Era V.
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2 users liked this useful post by rbw993
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 Joined: 28/09/2019(UTC) Posts: 119 Location: Rogaland, Haugesund
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I will summon the courage to disagree with JohnjeanB🥲 Without computer programs to run your trains: On a small layout I have 5 trains running between stations and stopping/waiting for single lines between stations to be unoccupied before entering next block. If such an event is sufficient it should be possible to make events triggering signals based on input from contact tracks… at least I am planning for this. New 3d resin printer to print my own signals and setting them up with red/green/yellow/white microdiodes and povered by m83s with input from cs3😳 That at least is the plan🥲
Regards
Thor Inge
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1 user liked this useful post by Tie
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Joined: 04/06/2019(UTC) Posts: 55 Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Many thanks to all for your replies!
I appreciate a lot all the feedback received. 😀
The idea is indeed to run the trains quite manually. Having 2 hidden stations with 2 and 3 storage yards respectively, I will active events to move the trains from one of the hidden stations to the visible one, or vice versa. Only shunting will be manual. And never there will be more than 3 trains running at the same time.
Plan is not to have signals in the conceal areas (neither m84), only in the visible ones. However I must recognize that did not thought about actually connecting the signals to the contact tracks, as in principle I was thinking about having the contact tracks only before the signals (activating them by the events), and not after, so I would need to duplicate the initially planned number of contact tracks to do so… and unfortunately the space available is limited (was difficult already to get permissions for the current one from the master of the house…).
Tips about the signals have been exactly what I was looking for. Did not know about the Schneider signals, neither about the exact decoder to use for viessmann ones. Probably I will go down that road.
Again thanks for all the advices! 😁
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 Joined: 30/08/2002(UTC) Posts: 1,288
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If you are interested in simple signals viewing only ”green” or ”red”, I can recommend this LDT decoder which can manage 8 such signals. Their other decoders and S88 modules are also great. I also second the Schneider signals, I am using their SBB signals. |
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2 users liked this useful post by PeFu
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 480 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: Pasquiles Many thanks to all for your replies!
I appreciate a lot all the feedback received. 😀
The idea is indeed to run the trains quite manually. Having 2 hidden stations with 2 and 3 storage yards respectively, I will active events to move the trains from one of the hidden stations to the visible one, or vice versa. Only shunting will be manual. And never there will be more than 3 trains running at the same time.
Plan is not to have signals in the conceal areas (neither m84), only in the visible ones. However I must recognize that did not thought about actually connecting the signals to the contact tracks, as in principle I was thinking about having the contact tracks only before the signals (activating them by the events), and not after, so I would need to duplicate the initially planned number of contact tracks to do so… and unfortunately the space available is limited (was difficult already to get permissions for the current one from the master of the house…).
Tips about the signals have been exactly what I was looking for. Did not know about the Schneider signals, neither about the exact decoder to use for viessmann ones. Probably I will go down that road.
Again thanks for all the advices! 😁 Don't connect signal to contact track. Instead, connect contact track to CS (with s88 or newer), which then tells signal to do something (with m83 or newer). Old style semaphores (lights + arm) are most fun, in my opnion. I never tried non-Marklin devices |
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2 users liked this useful post by BenP
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