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A DC Layout 40 Years Ago
Don sent in this question:
“When I first started with trains ( adult) size, a gentleman had a layout that 5 or 6 trains in a yard, when one train came in it started the next automatically switching turnouts one after another using reed switches, is any one familiar with this switching?”
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Hi Don I use to run a similar system on a layout that i use to have where each section of track was wired in blocks and a train could not enter that block unless it was clear It took a lot of wiring and relays to operate. The system used reed switches set in the track and magnets glued under the engines. It worked fine once all the bugs had been sorted but it took 7 years to complete it was a large layout in a shed that was 25 ft by 18 ft the electrics actually cost more then the trains but it did look great when operating. I would not recommend it to someone who did not have a good electrical knowledge.