Want to add some fun and a great bit of realism to your layout? Consider adding model railroad signals. Watch as modeler and DCC expert, Steve Barkley, describes how a signal driver card operates your model railroad signals system. Actually, they operate like a decoder for your signaling system. Steve grew up in the 1950s watching the Northern Pacific railroad operate semaphores to give a green (Go), yellow (Proceed with Caution) or red (Stop) signal to oncoming trains. He wanted the same kind of realism for his NP layout which models from Livingston to Billings, Montana. He found some DCC companies manufacture signal driver cards that operate either colored lights or semaphore systems. Choose the model railroad signals system that’s right for your railroad in the era in which you model and get ready for an added texture of realism for your pike!
Tags: Free Videos, Wiring
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5:13Join us as the Illinois Central pulls into Friars Point on a behind the scenes tour of the Bluff City Southern. You’ll see the train pull through the southern countryside. See our next stop along the way in Alligator, Mississippi where you will find a large automotive parts plant. This tour through farmlands in the… Read more »
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Model Railroad Academy provides plenty of tips to picking the best roadbed, but cork is one of the most common methods used. In this video, NMRA Master Modeler Gerry Leone offers helpful advice for using cork roadbed on your layout and presents a step-by-step tutorial on how to install it. Gerry starts off the tutorial… Read more »
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In large scale and small, ballast is a vital component for a successful railroad. Good, uniform ballast on a full-scale railroad helps secure ties and keep them dry from the elements. On a model railroad, ballast serves to add realism and depth to your scene (when done correctly). When it comes to selecting model railroad… Read more »
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In Part 2 of his series on the Conrail New Jersey division railroad of Matt Snell and Debie Baker, Allen Keller’s cameras ride along as an inspection train winds its way from Allentown Station all the way to South Amboy. Along the way, the viewer sees the incredible amount of model railroad structures and scenery… Read more »
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video didn’t describe how to use the card or set up the system. very poor !!
Hi, John. Sorry about that. We’ll have to look into that one. A local club here in town is using JMRI to operate their signals.
Very good written article. It will be useful to everyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.