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Lighting To Indicate Switching

Henry writes:

“My HO layout is 30 ft long with some turnouts at the far end going to a staging yard. Can I set up some type of lights that can tell me what way the switch is turned? I am using Digitrax DCC My turnouts are controlled with Atlas turnout switches. Or is there some other way that I can tell the direction of the turnout from distance?”

You are welcome to comment (and view answers) below.

4 Responses to Lighting To Indicate Switching

  • Koot says:

    Please log on to emrig.co.za. It is a website here in South Africa. Go to “Articles” and there you’ll find a way to indicate switch directions.

  • David Stokes says:

    Of the many alternatives I’ll mention 3
    1. If you do your switching electronically, from a control panel, you could insert LED indicators into the control panel, connected to the switch motor. The LED lit indicates the open route.
    2, You could install ground signals (either dwarf or masted types) again controlled from the switch controller,
    3. You could install a slave board showing a schematic of the track plan, LEDs again indicating direction.

  • Frank B says:

    You can obtain miniature switches that fit to the turnout or motor, that will change when the turout is switched. Run wires from these to indicator lamps wherever you want them.
    Most manufacturers of turnouts also supply matching switches to fit them.

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