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Train-Tech Sensor Signals Instructions Manual

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Please handle the signal carefully & read these instructions before using!!
Sensor Signals are easy to use, but care needs to be taken to install them properly to make them work
reliably and safely, so please take time to read these instructions first. Particular care needs to be taken to
ensure that the small sensor or any wires do not touch the rails or anything else otherwise permanent
damage to the signal will result, so always install with all Controller and Track Power OFF.
Our Signals are precision scale models and so are correspondingly fragile - handle with care!
Sensor Signals incorporate an infrared sensor which automatically changes the signal when a train passes
to signal danger to following trains. When used on their own they gradually change back to green a short
time after the last part of the train has crossed over the signal, but when linked to other Sensor Signals
(using just a single wire) they all work together to provide fully automatic block working, each signal
protecting the following block by staying at danger until the train has left the block.
We developed Sensor Signals recognising that most modellers run their layouts on their own most of the
time and so do not have time to be signalmen as well as train drivers! However much of the 'real' railways
main lines use automatic signalling and Sensor Signals work in a very similar way.
Signalling basics
The most basic signals are 2 aspect Home (red & green) and Distant (yellow & green). A Distant signal is
installed ahead of a home signal to give early warning to the driver of what the next signal is, so if the Distant
signal is green he knows the next signal is also green, but if it is showing yellow he knows the next signal will
be red. There are also 3 aspect Home-Distant signals with yellow lights as well as the Red & Green which
are called Home-Distant, and on high speed main lines there are 4 aspect Outer-Distant signals with red,
green and 2 yellow distant lights which give an even earlier indication of the next 2 signals to the train driver.
Much of the 'real' railways main lines actually use automatic signalling and Sensor Signals work in a very
similar way. We cannot cover any real detail of signal planning and operation here, but there are many good
books and websites (eg www.signalbox.org) dedicated to the subject. The illustrations in this guide mainly
show 4 aspect Sensor Signals, but the same principles apply to all variations of Train-Tech signals.
Sensor
Signal
Sensor
Signal
Mimic Panel
Layout Link
A basic layout showing how
signals, mimic switches and
other accessories can link
together easily using just a
single wire between them.
Level
Crossing
Track sensor
1!
Sensor Signals
Sensor
Signal
PC200 Quad
Point controller
Sensor
Signal

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Summary of Contents for Train-Tech Sensor Signals

  • Page 1 Please handle the signal carefully & read these instructions before using!! Sensor Signals are easy to use, but care needs to be taken to install them properly to make them work reliably and safely, so please take time to read these instructions first. Particular care needs to be taken to ensure that the small sensor or any wires do not touch the rails or anything else otherwise permanent damage to the signal will result, so always install with all Controller and Track Power OFF.
  • Page 2 • Sliding Signal into the track suitable for DCC layouts only DCC layouts have power on the tracks all of the time and so Sensor Signals may take their power straight from the track by sliding contact fingers into the slots which some track has for power clips.
  • Page 3 A signal used on its own can only ever work in this way because it does not know how far ahead the train is, but if multiple Sensor Signals are linked together the first signal will stay at danger until a train has cleared the following block and so on through the block sections protected by other sensor signals - see page 4.
  • Page 4 • Manual override of multiple Sensor Signals Multiple Sensor Signals can be overridden to show stop / caution in the same way as a single signal can, and because they are linked they also control any distant signals located in front of them to correctly display yellow or double yellow etc.
  • Page 5 • Route Indicator Signals Sensor Signals are also available with ‘Feather’ and ‘Theatre’ type route indicators which can be switched on and off using either DCC or a Mimic Switch as shown later. Route indicators advise the train driver which route or platform etc they are going and are often dictated by how points are set.

  • Page 6: Light Functions

    • Using Mimic Switches with Sensor Signals • Sensor signals may be used on their own but Train-Tech Mimic Switches and Mimic Lights are a great way of both controlling and monitoring your signals and trains on a control panel.
  • Page 7 • If signal stays on red (or yellow on a distant signal) check you have not sent an override command inadvertently - note that Sensor Signals are set to a Test DCC address at the factory and this might be the same address as something else on your layout, so if in doubt give it your own unique address even if you do not intend using DCC override - see page 6 •...