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Parts | Miscellaneous Parts

This section has additional electrical and mechanical parts that will make assembly and installation easier and faster.  These parts come from different sources and are available here at reasonable prices.

OS-1 CIRCUITRON OPTO-SENSORS

These are additional sensors that can be used with any of the Circuitron PCBs sold by Custom Signals.  If one opto-sensor is not enough to detect a train over a longer distance, up to 2 additional opto-sensors can be added in series to the first opto-sensor to increase options for detection.

SW-TDI TURNOUT DIRECTION INDICATION SWITCH

Some turnout motors do not have auxiliary contacts.  Some manufacturers make an additional relay that can be added for this purpose.  This is a small switch that can be located near the turnout motor if nothing else is available.  As the turnout motor changes direction, it will open and close the contacts on the TDI.  This is wired to send the turnout direction (SW) indication back to the TSC-1 or TSC-2   This works well with the Del-Air compressed air motors.

#200 ATLAS SNAP SWITCH RELAY

This relay is wired in parallel with the standard Atlas switch machine.  It can be used to send the turnout indication (SW) from Atlas turnouts back to the TSC of the signal system.

#6098 ATLAS DELUXE UNDER-THE-TABLE SWITCH MACHINE

This is a switch motor similar to the factory motor that comes with the Atlas turnouts.  The difference is that it is mounted under the layout and it has the auxiliary contacts necessary to send turnout indication (SW) back to the signal system.  If you are just starting your layout and using Atlas turnouts, this could be used in place of the stock switch machine.  It has the advantages of hiding the machine under the table and having the contacts built in.

DZ-1008 AUXILARY RELAY

This is a relay that attaches to the end of the standard DZ-1000 switch machine.  This will give you the switch necessary to send the turnout indication (SW) back to the TSC on the signal control panel. 

This is not necessary with the new DZ-2500 switch machines. The DZ-2500 has an output that can connect directly to the TSC.

 

#6931A ATLAS DWARF CONTROL BOARD

This is the board that comes with the 6931 Atlas Switch Signal.  These can be used in parallel with the Atlas switch machine to give the turnout indication (SW) back to the TSC on the signal control panel.  I have a very limited number of these.

#6924 ATLAS NON-DERAIL CIRCUIT BOARD

The Atlas-O Non-Derail Circuit Board adds enhanced operating features to the Atlas-O and most other brands of switches.  It also allows power routing of closure rails.  It works with TMCC, DCS, DCC and standard AC/DC control systems.  It also has the output necessary to send the turnout direction indication (SW) back to the Custom Signals TSC on the signal control board.

SW-RED RED POWER SWITCH

An ON/OFF switch that I use to turn on the power to the PCBs

 

SW-BLACK BLACK APPROACH LIGHTING SWITCH

An ON/OFF switch that I use to turn on the approach lighting.

 

ACC-2 AC TO DC CONVERTER, FILTER KIT

This converts your AC transformer power into filtered, DC power for use with the signal system.  The filtered power helps to prevent damage due to surges.  DC is required for the operation of the TSC-1.  All other components will work with either AC or DC. This kit also contains 4 BUS-1 screw down terminals to make the assembly easier.  

 

 

MCT-1 MODULAR CRIMP TOOL

This is a heavy duty crimp tool that will do RJ-11, RJ-12 and RJ-45 plugs.  It will strip and clean the modular wire to the exact length necessary to fit into the plug.  This tool should save time and money when you do the installation yourself.  It will also allow you to make the job much neater than using precut wires.

CABLE TIES SCREW-DOWN TIE STRAPS

These are used to hold extension wires in place under your layout.  These are also used to keep wires neatly arranged near the PPB.  Each comes with a hole for a 1" sheet rock screw.  The initial length is 8"  

WG-2 METAL WIRE GUIDES

These serve the same purpose as the tie straps above, but are much easier to use. 

These come in a 2" diameter with a wood boring thread to mount under the layout. 

Because of their strength and low resistance, you can pull wires from up to 100 feet away. These will not bind up like the tie straps do. 

If you miss one of the guides, you can simply slip the wire in place through the space between the threaded shaft and the end of the loop without having to bring the end of the wire back to the missed guide.  

I recommend spacing about 1-2 feet apart on curves and 4'-6' on straight runs.  The closer the spacing the less slack between guides.    

Using these in combination with the CABLE TIES above will make your work much neater.   

 

PPB-1 PRE-DRILLED PANEL BOARD (PPB)

To keep all of your PCBs neatly arranged in one location, you will need to mount them following the instructions in the Track Configuration Library (TCL).  The PPB is designed to space out the PCBs according to the TCL.  You will then need to hard wire the PCBs together.  This will allow you to run the wires under the PPB from one PCB to the next.  Then you can connect the modular J1 to J2 connections more easily.  The PPB will allow you to complete this on a work bench or table and then bring it to the layout to make the final connections. It also includes the screws and offsets necessary to mount the PCBs.  Because of its size and weight, additional shipping charges will apply.

PPB-DP DRILL PATTERN

This is a 2 foot by 3 foot sheet of paper with the pattern of holes I use for the PPB.  This will allow you to use a spare piece of plywood and save the shipping cost of the heavy PPB board.  The cost includes over-size copying and packaging fees.  Check if you need screws and spacers listed below.  Do not forget the shipping fee.

 

PPB-2 PRE-DRILLED PANEL BOARD

This serves the same function as the PPB-1 except it is designed for large yard applications.

SPACERS-1 STYRENE OFFSETS

Screws and spacers (cut to length to be used as off-sets) for mounting the PCBs to your own pre-drilled panel board.  These are purchased per square foot of PPB.  The PPB-1 boards above already come with the screws and spacers.  

DRILL BIT FOR USE IN HAND SCREWDRIVER

This a double sided drill bit specifically designed for mounting and wiring the Custom Signals PCBs to the PPB.  It comes with a standard P1 phillips head on one side for mounting the PCBs. The other side is an ultra thin flat head for connecting the hard wire screw-down terminals.

The bit does not include the screw driver.  The screw driver is available at most home improvement stores.  

 

DIODES-6 SIX-PACK OF ELECTRICAL DIODES

There are advanced situations in the signal system where diodes can be used to make the necessary connections.  This is a pack of 4001 diodes that will serve that purpose.

WIRES COLOR PPB COLOR CODED WIRE

In order to make the hard wire connection to the PCBs, you will need thin wire.  You should also use the correct color code to make the installation easier to trouble shoot in the future.  Custom Signals offers these wires in 9 different colors.  The RED and BLACK power wires are 24 ga. and the other are 26 ga.  The PPB color code is as follows:

RED          power

BLACK      common

GREEN     detection

ORANGE   turnout direction indication

BLUE        approach lighting

BROWN    TM or Rin connections

YELLOW   Yin connections

WHITE      Dout connections

GRAY        Ain connections

MIXED      short lengths of brown, yellow, white and gray

WIRE GREEN/WHITE DETECTION EXTENSION WIRE

This is color coded, 24 ga. wire for train detection for each block.  Connect to the insulated rail or detector and bring back to the central panel board.  This color matches the color code above, but has a white stripe to make it easier to ID under the layout.

Sold in 100, 200 or 1000 foot lengths.

WIRE ORANGE/WHITE TURNOUT INDICATION EXTENSION WIRE

This is color coded 24 ga. wire for the SW turnout indication for each TSC board.  Connect to the auxiliary switch on the turnout and bring back to the central panel board. This color matches the color code above, but has a white stripe to make it easier to ID under the layout.

Sold in 100, 200 or 1000 foot lengths.

BUS-1 SCREW-DOWN EURO STYLE TERMINAL BLOCK (PR)

Each of these counts as one pair of screw-down terminals.  These are placed on the perimeter of the PPB.  They allow you to make all the detection and turnout connections on the PPB without having to be at the layout.  Once the Panel Board is completed, you can bring it to the layout and make the external connections from the layout to the PPB through the BUS connectors.

B-WIRE CRIMP CONNECTORS

Small wire crimp connectors for use under the layout.  These can be used to attach the track rail drops under the layout to extension wires going back to the PPB.  25/pack.

SELF-STRIPPING CRIMP CONNECTORS

Larger wire crimp connectors for use under the layout.  These can be used to attach the track rail drops under the layout to extension wires going back to the PPB.  10/pack.

RS-1 RAILROAD SIGNALING by Brian Soloman

This is the best resource for the novice to learn about railroad signaling. It starts with early history and then the later history when most of the basic signals of today were developed.  Brian then describes the different types of block signaling.  Next is the difference between ABS and APB.  He even goes into grade crossing signaling.  Aspects and indications are also explained.

If you are interested in learning about this important part of operating your model railroad, I highly recommend this book.  I have these in stock at a discounted price.  Order today.    

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