Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Bruce Chubb

10 Railroads 1 Layout Part 1

This layout is very, very large. It covers a 2,600 square foot area, and consists of FOUR decks. It is so large that it can accommodate 30 operators in an operating session. Many people have helped Bruce and his wife build this layout. Includes the track plan of the main level.

10 Railroads 1 Layout Part 2

This installment of Bruce's large layout covers operations. Included are the operational schematic, discussions about selecting an era for the railroad, building a fleet, the various jobs available, both CTC's, running "day and night", and DCC.

Command Control Comes to the Sunset Valley

The author chose CTC-16 and explains why. Includes photos of his installation, and a complete circuit diagram of his reconfigured receiver. Also included are diagrams and parts lists for a power station with pre-regulator and a negative power supply for the command station.

The C/MRI: A Computer/Model Railroad Interface Part 10

This installment covers the computer cab control software. The BASIC program design is discussed and the source code to listed in the article.

The C/MRI: A Computer/Model Railroad Interface Part 8

This installment covers the hardware of the cab control. It includes digital and analog cab-assignment panels.

The C/MRI: A Computer/Model Railroad Interface Part 9

This installment covers computer cab control, layout wiring, and I/O connections. It includes electronic schematics for 15VDC power supply.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 1

The author discusses using C/MRI-based signals to add to the realism of operating your layout. Topics covered in this article are: prototype signaling, braking distance and railroad signaling, accurately modeling prototypical signaling, block signals, interlocking signals, examples of two-head interlocking signals, prototype signaling basics, vital signaling circuitry, non-vital signaling circuitry, prototype's abundant use of relays, signal terminology, speed limits and railroad signaling, train speed as a function of turnout frog number (includes prototype and equivalent modeling tables for speeds through various frogs), in-advance-of, in-approach-to, and in-the-rear-of signaling terminology, signal system implementations, Automatic Block Signaling (ABS), Absolute Permissive Block (APB) Signaling, Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), and interlocking at terminals and junctions.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 10

This installment covers Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) systems, and methods of train dispatching (TT&TO, TWC, DTC, CTC).

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 11

This installment covers modern CTC, transition-era CTC, and dispatching from remote locations using CMRInet.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 12

This installment covers turnout control. The first part covers how the prototype does it, and then the rest of the article covers how to simulate that in our model world, including using DCC accessory decoders for this purpose.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 13

This installment covers protecting hand-operated electric lock switches within signaled territory.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 2

In this installment, the author covers Signal Aspect, Name, and Indication, ABS Single-head Block Signals, Multi-head Block Signals, Flashing Aspects, APB Single Head Block Signals, and Interlocking Signals. The article is accompanied by drawings as well as photos of some of these implemented on the author's layout.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 3

This installment covers speed signaling vs. route signaling.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 4

This installment covers Route Signaling

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 5

This installment covers Automatic Block Signaling (ABS).

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 6

This installment covers programming ABS signals.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 7

This installment covers Absolute Permissive Block (APB) signaling.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 8

This installment covers programming APB signals and making the hardware connections.

Understanding Railroad Signals Part 9

This installment covers dealing with simultaneous entry of opposing trains on single track, and modeling APB signaling.