I am looking at what signal system I'm going to use so I can start getting it setup as I lay track. I have narrowed it down to Atlas and Digitrax. The Upside with the atlas signals are they are fully intergrated And don't need anything but insulated joints. But the downside is they're expensive, for the 19 signals I need it would be about $1018.86 (Thats not including circut breakers for my layout and the 7 tortises)and I'm not sure if they work with DCC or not.

I just don't have that much I can spend on signals. The thing I don't like about the Digitrax system is that I need a computer(Which I do have, but I don't have any interface) or a throttle(Which I do have) But its alot cheaper. It would be $693.78 for everything I need including the circut breakers and tortises. So you can see there is about a 500 dollar savings there so digitrax is the way I'm gonna go.  All the people I know locally that have working signals are custom built(The club I'm in has a custom system to govern the diamond) And the couple layouts I have been to that had working signals where built using parts from Model RR companies and stuff from the prototype. Now I come to my question of Has anyone here used the system or own it? 

    My last question is. Beside the digitrax PM42, and Tony's Powershield are there any good circut breakers that aren't too expensive? I'm looking at using the NCE ED3. I've always used Digitrax but our PM42s are the club seem too good bad often, and I had a friend that had one go bad. Is there something better than the Powershield or the ED3 that I havn't found? Thanks Jay 

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Jay
Norfolk Southern Forever!!

Jay - I too was considering a signal system while laying track but found it much too complicated and expensive.  I saw a system from NJI I believe that is self contained and I might add later if I ever suddenly have alot of extra cash and IQ.

It's too bad because I really wanted a signal system.  My track plan was not designed with a signal system in mind and that is one of my problems - it would take so many blocks that it's ridiculous.  I have considered a scaled down version of a signal system but that might just defeat the purpose.

I am finding as I build my layout that no matter how much forethought you give your planning, there are always things that have to change and even be given up for one reason or another.  Signals are one of those things that I had to give up, at least for now.

 In addition - the Atlas signal system is not really realistic. Usinga computer allows you to create any type of signal system you want. Hard-wired logic is difficult to change, it does what it does and nothign more. The computer in universal.

 As for circuit breakers, I feel the Powershields are the best, all-electronic, no relays, and they switch both sides of the circuit. The EB3 only switches one side of the track power. I'm helping a friend wire his layout, and he's using a PM42 and some AR1's for reverse loops, and so far it all works jus fine, even with his ultra low power N scale locos (mostly scratchbuilt, and using high efficiency tiny can motors). Even at a crawl tere is no perceptable lag in switching of the AR1, but tere are no headlights with which to see any momentary power 'blink'.

                                            --Randy
 

Another thing to keep in mind. You do NOT need the Digitrax signal masts and stuff (unless you are in N scale, and can use them directly - there is a company that makes plastic detail parts to glue on that makes them look like actual signals. The LED signals need resistors - but instead of buying the Digitrax bases, just get a big pack of resistors from a supplier like Mouser. You cna get 100 resistors for a couple dollars - WAY less than just one pack of the Digitrax bases.

                                           --Randy