The Quick-Block Signal System
Designed By Integral Circuits, Distributed Exclusively by Reading Car Company
Signaling your outdoor railroad has proven to be difficult. Electronics have traditionally been finicky and difficult to install without benefit of an electrical engineering degree and miles of wire, relays and detectors.
That is, until now.
The Quick-Block signal system has been in development for several years now and after extensive testing in the field, is ready for roll-out to back yard railroaders everywhere!
The Quick-Block Signal System is so simple, it can be set up and installed in a day, and with only 2 wires between signals.
Benefits of using the Quick-Block Signal System:
Each Block can have from 2 to 4 signal heads.
Only 2 wires are required to connect the signal control boards, so no complicated wiring to install!
The System can control many different types of signal heads from multiple manufacturers.
The System “self monitors” to make sure all signal heads are operating correctly.
“Take” and “Release” handles can be made of any momentary contact pushbutton or switch.
Due to the solid state electronics, faults are easy to troubleshoot. (it’s almost always a loose wire!)
Meet The System
Quick Block Basic Control Board
The Control Board is the brains of the operation. Each signal in the block will need one of these, up to 4 signals per block. The Board uses digital “chirps” to communicate with the other boards in the block and control the aspect on the signal heads using only 2 wires between boards to simplify setup and operation.
Quick Block Programmer
The programmer allows you to program (and reprogram) your signal boards to tell them how many signals are in their block and what number they are so they know how to communicate with the other control boards. LEDs on the programmer give you the feedback to confirm selections, as well as giving you the version number for troubleshooting purposes. Only 1 programmer is needed for as many signals as you own.
Power Supply
This power supply is only needed if you intend to run your signals from a center-tap transformer. You can run them from a battery or other 12v power supply without this board.
The wiring really is that simple! The power supply feeds the signal boards (between 2 and 4 heads per block). The Programmer used during setup tells the board how many heads are in the block and which head it is, and from there on, the controllers “Talk” to each other to ensure the correct aspect is given on the signal head. Once the heads are programmed, Wires from the signal boards go to the “Take” and “Release” handles on one side, and to the signal on the other. Power up the system and your heads should be active.
So How Does It Work On My Railroad?
It’s very simple really. Lets go through the sequence of the most basic layout of these signals, which is a single track section between two passing tracks…
This is the “idle” or “empty block” status of the signal system. Signals at both ends of the single track section are green, indicating the block is clear. At each end of the block is a “take” handle (or button) which allows a train approaching to block to reserve or “take” the block.
Our train, in blue, come to the “take” handle (above the orange arrow) and activates the “take” function using a push button or the handle designed by Integral Circuits. This causes the signal to go to yellow (or “approach”) and the other end signal to go to red (or “stop”). Our train can now enter the block.
As our train travels through the block, trains approach from both ends. The train on the right has a red signal and stops This indicates to the engineer that there’s a train in the block coming towards them. The train on the left has a yellow signal, which indicates a train in the block ahead going away from them and they should wait for a green signal.
As our train exits the block, we activate the “release” handle, which returns the signals to green, indicating a clear block. At this point, either of the waiting trains can take the block and start the cycle over again.
Here are some other situations where the Quick Block Basic Signal System can help your railroad operate in a prototypical manner.
And that’s how simple signaling can be on your railroad! Signaling your railroad also can make operations more fun while increasing safety and reducing the chances of a “cornfield meet”.
Circuits designed by:
