1

Current Central Station 2 Version – 4.1.2 Current Mobile Station 2 Version – 2.5 Since our last newsletter we have been to San Luis Obispo for the world record attempt of the largest Z gauge collection. Dr. Bernd Schumacher counted 3,160 different items in his collection (no duplicates counted). The previous record was only 1,000 items (approx). In this issue our first article will cover the installation of a turnout motor, decoder and lantern kit into a Märklin 24611 turnout. The installation will be very similar for other turnouts, but decoder placements differ in other Märklin turnouts. The second article will be about passing line routing.

Motor/Decoder Installation With the new decoder, the lantern kit can be soldered to the decoder for power. Because the LED lantern draws so little power, there is no need to light them with a separate power supply. If soldering is not an option, the lantern can still be supplied with an external power supply. It’s important to note that each lantern kit has components for two turnouts. This can be a combination of lefts, rights or one of each. There is no disassembly required to install any of these components. They are all snap or screw in. The only tools needed are a small Phillips screw-driver and a soldering iron. A pair of tweezers and clamping tweezers will help, but are not required. Component list: 24611 Standard Left Turnout 74461 Turnout Decoder 74470 Lantern Kit (supply for 2 turnouts) 74491 Turnout Mechanism (motor) All the components are boxed separately (Fig.1).

NEWSLETTER

Vol. 28 – No. 5 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016

Digital Consultants

Rick Sinclair Curtis Jeung

Fig. 1 Turnout and components

2

The contents of each box are illustrated in the pictures (Fig. 2). Because Märklin includes components for analog, onboard decoder and M84 (60884) installations, there are some components that will not be used. There are also optional connections for Trix H0 that use 2-rail operation. Once the items are unpacked, I can start the assembly. I prefer to clean my workstation so that I don’t lose any small items. I like to unpack everything and separate out the components that I won’t be using. I don’t need the plugs or the red, white and blue wires with the plug ends. These are for analog/M83 operation and Trix operation respectively. I found that later on it’s helpful for the turnout be set straight (Fig. 3). This will allow the motor to be installed easily.

From the decoder, take the wiring harness with the blue, yellow, and green wires, and

plug it into the turnout motor. The plug and socket are indexed so they only fit one way (Fig. 4). The other end is soldered to the decoder so care should be taken in handling the motor/decoder assembly. Insert the brown, red and yellow harness into the decoder in the same manner.

Fig. 2 Top: Turnout motor Middle: Turnout decoder Bottom: Lantern kit

Fig. 3 Turnout set straight

Fig. 4 Wires installed in turnout motor and decoder

3

The turnout motor will slide into the underside of the turnout now. There is a hole on the motor actuator that must be installed onto the pin that moves the frog of the turnout. If the turnout is set to curve, then this pin is under the shield of the turnout mechanics (Fig. 5 for proper placement). Once the motor is placed, the mounting holes should line up with the screw holes. Insert the screws and get them started, but don’t tighten them. After the screws are threaded, push the motor towards the turnout mechanics and hold it while the screws are tightened (Fig. 6). Remember to only snug the screws down because they are driving into plastic. Too much torque will strip the hole on the turnout.

There will be a set of three pins to mount the decoder to the underside of the turnout. This is a press fit so no screws are required (removal will be necessary to solder the lantern wires later). Make the connections of the wires with the spade connectors as follows (Fig. 7): Yellow wire to “B” Red wire to “B” Brown wire to “O”

Fig. 5 Motor actuator installed on pin

Fig. 6 Push motor and “snug” screws

4

The decoder will use the red and brown wire to receive the code and power the turnout motor. The decoder will use the yellow wire to power the lantern. This is one modification to the current decoder from the old decoder (74460), which allows for a cleaner installation. With the old version, the lantern wires would have to be snaked under the turnout and if not done properly, they would interfere with the turnout mechanics.

Lantern Installation The Lantern Kit contains some tiny plastic pieces so care must be taken not to break or lose any. I select the appropriate lantern cover and insert the diffuser. Please note that there are two left and two right lantern covers (Fig. 8).

I used the “left” for this left turnout. It’s helpful to leave the lantern cover on the sprue. This is a small part and the diffuser that goes into it is even smaller, so a handle will make it easier. Slide a diffuser into the lantern cover, there’s no indexing (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9 Insert diffuser into lantern cover

Fig.7 Wire connections

Fig. 8 Left and right lantern covers

5

Push the diffuser in as far as it will go so it’s almost flush at the bottom (Fig 10). I had a cover split on me once during this process and I had to use the second cover. When the diffuser is correctly installed, the other diffuser “shaft” will be inserted into the turnout. The base of the diffuser shaft has a flat disk with a slot in it. The slot is for a pin that will turn the shaft and cover. The pin must be in the slot for correct operation. Just slide the diffuser shaft into the hole of the turnout and index the slot on the pin (Fig. 11).

Hold your finger on this disk while you turn the turnout over or it will slide out. Here is a tip to ensure that the correct orientation is achieved when you install the lantern cover: Set the turnout to curve with the manual lever at this time, while keeping your finger on the diffuser disk (Fig. 12).

Now that I know the turnout is set to curve, I can orient the lantern correctly. There is only one shot at this, so I like to be certain that I get it correct. Press the lantern cover on to the diffuser shaft (Fig. 13). A few clicks can usually be felt as it is pressed on. There is little chance of getting it off without something breaking at this point. Once done, the sprue can be removed.

The lantern cover should be seated very close to the turnout base but don’t let the two rub.

Fig. 10 Diffuser installed into the cover

Fig. 11 Pin inserted into disk slot

Fig. 12 Set the turnout to curve

Fig. 13 Lantern cover installed with sprue still attached

6

Now the LED can be installed. The LED bracket has a small “L” or “R” on it. It is difficult to see in the corner of the screw mount (Fig.14). Once the desired bracket is chosen, the LED circuit board can be mounted (a left mount is used in the pictures). Start with the wires and feed them through the mount. The wires go through the pyramid shaped section on the end of the bracket. With the “L” or “R” designation facing up, feed the wires to the backside of the bracket (Fig. 15).

Insert the LED circuit board. I found it to be slightly easier to insert the long side, then press the short side down to lock it into place (Fig 16). Sometimes it is hard to get it to set flush because the pieces are small (Fig 17). Now, set the wires in the slots in the bracket (Fig. 18).

Fig. 14 “L” and “R” designation

Fig. 15 Feed wires through the end

Fig. 16 Insert the LED along the long side

Fig. 17 Press the short side until flush

Fig. 18 LED mounted correctly

7

Now the LED bracket can be mounted to the turnout. Use the silver counter-sunk screw, and mount the bracket in the corner over the disk at the bottom of the diffuser shaft (Fig. 19). ***Be very careful at this point so the turnout lantern cover does not get broken off.***

Route the wires to the narrow end of the decoder. Remember that the bottom of the motor and mechanism cover sits on the layout board so be sure not to run the wires over any component or the mechanism cover. Never route them through the mechanism under the cover. I like to make the wires a little bit too long so that I have room to rotate the decoder once I have soldered the wires (Fig. 20).

Cut the wires and strip for soldering at the desired length. There will be a “+” next to the solder pads on the decoder. The yellow wire should be soldered to the “+” side (Fig. 21).

Once the wires are soldered, rotate the decoder and press it onto the mounting pins. Set the address using the decoder manual and test. The light should come on as soon as track power is connected (Fig. 22).

The turnout should be ready to mount within the layout once the turnout operation is tested. I recommend that turnouts “float” in the layout. This means that I do not screw my turnouts down. I don’t want the turnout to twist or be at an angle from one end to the other. This could cause performance problems with trains or the switching mechanism.

Fig. 19 LED bracket mounted in turnout

Fig. 20 Route wires to the narrow end of the decoder

Fig. 21 Wires soldered to decoder

8

I prefer to remove the manual lever and attach one of the service plates. Here I have chosen the larger plate (Fig. 23). This was the technique I used when installing several turnouts lately. Feel free to modify or change it to suit your style.

Enjoy Your Hobbies! Rick Sinclair

Automating Passing Lines I took some time to consider how a passing line or siding works in conjunction with the main line on a layout, and it is possible to see that it is a much more complicated maneuver than just an ordinary siding. This is especially true when digitally controlling and coordinating the operations of having two trains occupying both lines at the same time. Can the passing lane be used as a through station operating as a rotating line (one train enters, the other train leaves), or is it strictly a passing siding for slower traffic to be bypassed? Another alternative to that question is, what if the line is set for a 2-way bypass, like a point-to-point trolley? In the March-April edition of the Digital Newsletter (Vol 28 – No 2 2016) I cover the concepts and memory routing scripts that could be used for an alternating train setup in a small through-station. I suggest you review that, or request it if you don’t have it, because it would be too lengthy to repeat in this article. However, I will reprint the memory script steps and the track setup for those who have been following along.

The 2-Line Yard In a 2-line yard, three feedback modules are needed. Two to start a train waiting on the alternate yard line and pre-set the turnout to redirect oncoming trains to enter the unoccupied line (created by the alternate train leaving the station), and the third script is written to set the stop blocks for both lines.

Fig. 22 Turnout completed

Fig. 23 Note correct aspect of the lantern cover and the service plate

9

Fig. 1 – 2-line yard setup

Contact Id C6 o (‘o’ = out)

C5 o C7 o

Script Steps S7 - go S7 - stop S6 - go

T4 – turn S6 - stop T4 - straight Table 1 – Scripts for 2-line yard

Fig. 2 - Basic block configuration with undetected siding

Fig. 1 illustrates the small stage with track sensors (5, 6 & 7), controlled switch (T4), and signal lights (unlabeled, but I will ID as S6 & S7). Table 1 shows the scripts necessary for automating this alternating yard (two-line staging yard). Please note the preset conditions in this example: T4 is set straight (allowing for entry into the unoccupied line), S6 & S7 are both set for stop. In the Table, the memory scripts show the use of exit triggers with contact tracks (see sidebar “About the Table”). Visually, this allows for the incoming blue train to have fully entered into the station before allowing the waiting green train to exit into the main line. It is possible to use entry triggers to release the waiting trains, but you will need to add separate scripts to control the T4 switch, which should only be turned AFTER the incoming train has cleared the turnout switch. For example, writing an incorrect entry script ‘C6 I’ where T4 – turn, would cause the switch to turn while the train would still be over the turnout (causing a derailment). Again, I won’t go any further into this particular passing line setup as it is repeat material. Please send us an email request if you wish to get those relevant articles sent to you.

Passing Line or Siding To properly set up memory routes for a passing line, it is important to dwell on the conditions of passing line use. Mainly, the passing line is to allow a faster train to pass safely around a slower train. The use of effective track blocking with our memory routines would likely prevent this from ever actively happening, because it would prevent any train from entering a block unless cleared. Therefore, creating an automated passing line would mean that we would have to create a situation where two trains may actually have to be in a single block. On top of that, we would have to have indicators that define when a train needs to use the passing siding and when to allow that waiting train to continue on. Most of the memory routines that we have instructed you on have been fairly straightforward in terms of what triggers an event. The use of entry and exit trigger settings when creating our memory scripts have been all we have needed for track blocking and staging yards. For a passing line, we will look closer at setting the “ext.” configurations in the memory page. These are our ‘conditions’ of use that are used in conjunction with our triggers. Fig. 2 illustrates the basic block configuration. When the contact of C2 clears (green train), it signals an all clear for the passing

10

Fig. 3 - Additional contact sensors needed for passing siding (in blue text)

Contact ID C4 i x C5 o

Script Steps T1 - turn T1 - straight

S3 - stop S1 - go

Ext – C3 i Table 2 – Script for passing contact. Note conditions, as noted by ‘x’ and ‘Ext’.

Fig. 4 - Advanced settings for Route window. For creating conditions to contact scripts.

line block and releases the blue train to pass the Signal at S1. Notice that there are no control sensors for the passing line, so the area will act as a simple block. In Fig. 3, I show that we will need 4 additional contact sensors (C3 – C6 in blue text). Due to space constraints, the layout illustration is compressed. The location of contact C4 will vary according to where its determined a siding is necessary (train speeds), and the length of track between C1 and the siding switch is entirely up to the user. Before I get into how to create the memory route script steps and conditions of use within the CS2, I am going to describe the requirements of when the passing siding will be needed. For a passing siding, the controlling sensor will be C4. As the green train triggers the sensor at C4, I can evaluate if the blue train is delayed (by the green train) at the block by looking at the status of C3. In the illustration, I show that both C4 and C3 are showing occupation. In this instance, the green train will enter into the passing siding. Conversely if the sensor at C3 is clear, then I can assume that the blue train may not be fast enough to warrant passing, and the green train can bypass the siding and continue on through the main line. Table 2 shows the script table when the passing siding is needed. You can see that I have altered my conventional Contact ID labelling to let me know that the contact for C2 has conditions (‘x’ in yellow). I have also written what the condition is ‘Ext – C3 i’, which indicates that C3 must be occupied. This condition must be met, otherwise script ‘C4 i x’ will be ignored, and the passing siding will not be used. To set conditions up within the CS2 memory script activate the ‘Ext.’ window found in the memory edit page of your script. Fig. 4 shows the window and setup of reading track occupancy for C3. Please refer to Vol. 28 Num. 2 of the Digital Newsletter for a more detailed explanation of this CS2 control. Script ‘C5 o’ is written so that the train to pass (at C3) is allowed to proceed. T1 is set straight, so as not to collide on the siding. S1 releases the block to go.

11

Fig. 5 - Passing siding in use, blue train has bypassed green.

Contact ID C2 o (unedited) C2 o x C2 o (revised)

Script Steps S1 - go S1 - go S3 - go

Ext C6: o (unoccupied)

Table 3 – Scripts for clearing siding. Script ‘C2 o’ to be modified to ‘C2 o’ (revised)

Fig. 6 - 2-way bypass setup

In Fig. 5, the green train is shown diverted onto the passing siding and waiting for the blue train to clear the block (having successfully bypassed the slower green train). You may also take note that the blue train will not have activated C4’s script, because of the conditions (in this case, restrictions) set in Fig. 4. At this point, we must now consider our actions once the blue train passes beyond our siding block.

Successfully Clearing a Siding Block By looking at the illustration in Fig. 5, it is possible to believe that it is just a matter of releasing the train waiting at C6. However, what would happen if there was ALSO a train waiting at C3? Remember, that our traditional block script at C2 would release a waiting train at C3 as well. We would then have two trains moving within our siding block - not good. To correct for this, we will have to alter the traditional block script at C2 and create a conditional script (C2 o x). Table 3, illustrates the traditional block script of ‘C2 o’ (unedited and revised) and the added script necessary to clear the siding block successfully. Script ‘C2 o x’, releases the train at S1 for entry into the main block, but only if there is no train waiting on the passing siding at C6. You can see that I have 2 scripts that are triggered by the same contact C2. This is not a problem, because one script ‘C2 o’ will always occur, and script ‘C2 o x’ will only activate only if the passing siding is clear. Another way to think about this is: If ‘C2 o x’ doesn’t release the train at S1, and if I don’t have a default script ‘C2 o’ to release a train, then I wouldn’t have any trains entering into the block. This will essentially stop the entire layout. ‘C2 o’ is now re-written to switch the block at S3 to go. This is my default release to insure the train on the passing siding is allowed to enter into the main line. As a default condition, what would happen if there WAS no train at S3, and why would I set this as a default? First, there would be no harm in changing a signal to go on an empty line. Second, the empty line condition would be corrected by the conditional script ‘CS o x’. Remember that this script checks to see that the passing siding is empty C6, then allows a train to enter into the block.

2-Way Bypass The use of a 2-way bypass may not be a common feature in a layout, but I thought it would be a good idea to cover a simple instance of use here, that of a point-to-point shuttle line. Fig. 6 illustrates the sensor locations for

12

Contact ID C1 i C1 o C2 i C2 o

Script Steps S2 – stop S2 – go S1 - stop S1 - go

Table 4 – Script steps for simple 2-way bypass

the bypass using the rule of “right-hand traffic”. Table 4 shows the necessary scripts needed. In this instance the turnouts are pre-set to direct trains on to the right-hand track (in relation to direction of travel), therefore there are no script controls for the turnouts. The memory scripts for C1 and C2 are designed to control the traffic on their opposing lines. The triggers set as exit triggers will only enable when the train has cleared the line and turnout behind it. Where the blue train is located in Fig. 6, when it clears contact C1, it will have cleared the line for the green train to proceed forward. Also, note that when the blue train entered onto C1, script C1 i was activation and the Signal at S2 was set to stop, thus preventing any train on that line to merge on the still occupied turnout. In this article, I wrote about some of the simple elements that use passing lines or sidings. To some degree, you can consider them to be component parts to more complex routings that you might want to implement on your layout: A simple through-station staging yard, a main line passing siding, and a 2-way bypass. I hope you get a chance to test out some of the examples that I have shown here. I have introduced some practical uses of Memory Route conditions (script conditions) and explaining the procedures on paper can admittedly get confusing.

What’s Ahead When I was writing about the passing siding, I began to wonder if the procedure could be used around a staging yard. It could not. Then I noticed that there is a perspective of “the slow train pulls off to the side to let the fast train pass” vs. “an express train must travel around a yard.” In other words, one is a routing decision based on the slow train, the other is based on the perspective of the fast train. In my next article about automation and routing, I will explain how to script such an event. It uses some of the parts explained in this article and introduces the complexity and pitfalls of merging trains into one line. Until next time, Curtis Jeung

Upcoming Appearance: Trainfest 2016 November 12-13 Wisconsin State Fair Park West Allis (Milwaukee) WI

To contact Curtis and Rick for help with your Digital, technical and product related questions:

Phone: 650-569-1318 Hours: 6:00am – 9:00pm PST. Monday through Friday. E-mail: digital@marklin.com

Get Connected with Märklin Digital on Facebook at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/Marklin-Digital-201480640231441/?fref=ts

Märklin Digital Club · PO Box 510559 · New Berlin WI 53151-0559