Hi everyone,

I'm getting ready to dive into setting up a C track test layout using S88 feedbacks/sensors and blocks and PC software to control it (iTrain and a CS3). I've tried to glean as much advice as I can from the postings in this forum and would like to ask a favor of you - could you take a look at my list below and let me know if you have other suggestions? Thank you in advance. Also thanks to many of you who posted the advice I'm gleaning and summarizing.
Here's my list:

Setting up switches, feedbacks, locos, etc:
All done in the CS3 and then using iTrain (or Rocrail, TrainController, etc.) to control them as needed - perhaps the first thing going through your minds is that the CS3 may be overkill, a CS2 or other would have done okay, but I learned that the hard way :-). In iTrain, also define the length of each train and calibrate the speed of the locomotive correctly. Once I get better at controlling trains via software and move on to a more complicated layout, consider powering the S88 sensors externally using something such as what LDT offers - but this advice was in relationship to the CS2. Maybe with the CS3, an external controller isn't so much needed. I've got a CS3, which means I use an L88 - and thus far it works fine.

Initial test layout:
Someone suggested this:

1. A loop with a two switches and two station lines to/from a single mainline so that you can see the computer select the alternate route when a train is on one platform. Lets you play with waiting time in a route etc . So two blocks at the station and two blocks on the main line. Now run three trains. The author didn't specify which direction to run the trains, but I assume all in the same direction?
   
2. A shuttle line with a bypass in the middle running two trains. "The plan here is not to do an Uncle Fester with the two trains." - which means running the trains in opposite directions?

Length of blocks:
Most people say that they should be as long as the longest train and bounded by switches. Long sections of track with no switches can be divided into blocks via use of the S88 sensors.

What type of S88 sensors:
Most advise occupancy sensors that you make by isolating one rail using the Marklin insulators - someone also used wire insulation that shrinks when heated. No cutting of any tracks is needed, just use the insulators on the same rail at both ends. Some advise using a diode at the S88 module to power the insulated rail because of potential ground issues in feedback tracks due to dirty tracks, etc.

How long are the occupancy sensors and how many should be used in a block:
Someone wrote that he uses occupancy sensors of about 25 cm each. I also saw this very clear and helpful advice that I believe all applies to iTrain:



Where in the block do the sensors go:
I'm trying to figure that out. Seems like all of the blocks in the eventual layout I'm planning will be bi-directional, so I think, for foolproof operation, I need 2 sensors in every block (ENTER and IN, above). My thinking is that I should place the sensors at the very beginning and very end of the block, and the length of the sensor should be long enough for the locomotive to come to a complete stop - maybe 25 cm is enough but I'll find out. I guess I'll use 3 sensors if I want a loco to stop directly at a station.


If I'm not leaving anything out other than reading all the documentation, I suppose the next step is either to make a cup of coffee or a nice gin martini, your choice, and get to work!

Does anyone differ or have anything else to add? I very much appreciate your advice.

Cheers, John

Hello,

I think you have summarized quite well the requirements.

If you wish to look at where to put ENTER & IN sensors (or whatever specific vocabulary to your software), you can find examples here:
https://www.marklin-user...dback-changes#post426889
or in later posts of the same thread (have a look also at last page)

The legend color is as follows:
-track marked with gray color = ENTER sensor when unidirectional block; the color length shows the length of isolated section
-track marked with red color = IN (or ENTER sensor when bi-directional block). When bi-directional, ENTER and IN meanings are swapped in opposite direction.
Note: the color chosen does not meet any standard; it is purely personal

As you may know, I use Rocrail software. When the plan was done, the BBT feature wasn't ready, that's why I used longer sections for IN sensor to allow the loco to stop from VMid to 0. Today, with BBT feature, having a long section for IN section is no more useful (when using 2 sensors). I've started to shrink them when possible, and now I only use one piece of straight section (18cm) to implement the IN sensor, as the loco has already its speed decreased with the BBT feature. As a result, when a loco comes in to IN sensor, it is already at VMin speed and thus stops almost immediately.

For ENTER sensor, when unidirectional, 1/2 track length is enough (9cm).
You'll have to experiment whats fits best for you.

Have fun.
fabrice

Ha! That made me laugh - it's already taken over a good chunk of my time!

Hi John,

I'm not sure about iTrain since I use Rocrail, however, in Rocrail you can have crossing blocks so that your longer trains can go through these shorter blocks and not be affected by the sensors in that block. That way if you have longer trains that fit into station tracks, mainline tracks, sidings, etc. they can use these short blocks as a transit area, but will not stop in them. Therefore, before you sell any trains make sure you are not trying to fit every train into every block. You don't want the shortest block dictating your train length.

Peter

If I understand (I'm not sure) that what John wants is for a 130 cm long train to fit into a smaller block, is that it? Or something like that?

Thewolf

In Itrain (as in any software I believe) there are stop blocks and transition blocks.

Two important things:

-In a 180 cm stop block, a 160 cm train can be parked in a problem and if there are two contacts, whether they are activated (depending on their position in the block), it doesn't matter.

- In a transition block, the train just passes through

Well, if the train measures 200 cm, in a 180 cm block, I guess the last car is on the turnout. I don't know because I design my trains according to the length of the stop block.

Example : 39170 and 43856 = 165 cm. This train won't run in this condition on my network... but with 3 cars and the locomotive... it's just for the longest track of my station....

I have two 45-50 cm transition blocks (I don't know exactly) I don't take care of it.

I don't know if it fits in the context of the post but since I thought I read stop and transition block and I use Itrain, I thought it was good to intervene.

Thewolf

It sounds like iTrain uses the term Transition Block to describe what Rocrail calls a Crossing Block. So John don't sell your train just yet until you explore this possibility.

Peter

That's me who uses the term transition block...I don't remember what it's called in the Itrain manual.

John.

Did you ask the question on the Itrain forum? I'd like to follow this on the forum... I'm interested because as I said: I'm in testing with Itrain

I am Carolo55 on Itrain forum