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Electronics Articles

...RRRduino...

Using an Arduino and servos to control a crossing gate with lights.

...RRRduino...

How to build and control four servos with one Nano. The next installment will cover how to connect these to JMRI. Includes code and parts lists.

...RRRduino...

The author describes how to use JMRI to change 4 turnouts (with servo motors) by using messages sent using the new NMRA standard called LCC (Layout Command Control).

...RRRduino...

Hooking up an IR sensor to the Arduino, and control it with a cheap TV remote control.

...RRRduino...

Using an Arduino to control traffic lights. Includes the source code

13 Experiences with JMRI at the Mid-South Model RR Club

Tips and tricks for using JMRI.

A Battery-powered Caboose

The author shows how he installed the new S-CAB BPS-Lite board that allows for powering the interior and exterior LEDs for cabooses or passenger cars, using an on-board rechargeable battery with convenient on/off switch.

A New Constant Lighting Circuit

The author describes how he designed and built circuits using the LM317T IC chip to build constant lighting for cab number boards, and single and dual headlamps. Includes circuit diagrams and parts list.

A New Decoder For An Old Engine - Update

The author describes accidentally breaking off the steps of the S-Helper Service F7 shell when installing the decoder, so he shows how he fixed that, and then shows how he arranged all the electronics to fit in the model.

A Passion for Sound

Placing speakers around the layout to have environmental sounds built-in using Fantasonics' electronics.

A Power Supply For Micro Lamps

Two solutions to powering 1.5 Volt micro lamps. One uses a collection of diodes to reduce the voltage to the lamps (with support for a limited number of lamps), and a full-blown regulator supply that can handle a predetermined number of lamps.

Action Crossing: Lights Flash, Diesel Horn Blows, and Bells Ring

Using a 555 timer IC, the author describes how he built a circuit that does all of those things. Reed switches are used to detect a train's presence near the crossing. Includes parts listings and diagrams.

Adventures in Computer Layout Control

This article describes the various components needed to control train movement via a computer. It is not a detailed article, but it provides a nice overview, with a listing of addition research material.

An American Flyer Reverse Loop Made Easy!

This article describes what it takes to make an automated reverse loop for an A.F. layout. Includes a parts list and diagrams.

An EOT for the Front Runner

The author describes how he built an end-of-train device for his piggyback train. Includes construction photos and electronics schematic.

An Operating Steam Throttle You Can Customize Part 2

This installment covers the software required to make the throttle operate.

Animate a Ferris Wheel

The author shows how he uses an Arduino and JMRI to control a ferris wheel from his PC.

Applying Modern Electronics Technology to Model Railroading

The author explains how to build a 5-volt power supply, which is needed for transistor-based circuits.

Automatic Staging Stopping Blocks

The author shows how he makes automating stopping a train at the end of a hidden staging track safe.

Back to Basics: Electric Motor Design

The author describes how the electric motor (AC and DC) works.

Battery Power

The author describes his efforts into getting into battery-powered S-scale locomotives. It includes an interior photo of his S-Helper Service NW2 converted.

Battery Power and RailPro

The author describes what it takes to be able use Ring Engineering's RailPro and have the engines being powered by an onboard battery. RailPro does not natively support battery-powered engines, so the author offers a workable custom solution that can be copied, especially if one models in HO-scale, where internal space is at a premium. Charging is done via a plug in the removable hatch.

Better Power Pickup

How to fix pickup issues with the older Kato SD40-2 engines.

Blinking Barricades

This article shows, in great detail, how to construct a scale barricade with a blinking LED. Also includes information about making some changes to the circuit to obtain different results.

Build a Model Railroad Odometer Car

The author describes how he built a gondola and the electronics to measure the distance the car has traveled, which can be used to determine how long the layout's track is.

Build a Power Supply for Command Control Equipment Part 1

The first installment describes the 18-volt, 10-amp power supply the author is building. After the introduction, this installment concludes with the parts list.

Build a Working N-scale Crossing Signal

This article describes the electronics necessary to make a working Bachmann crossing signal, including operating gates.

Build an Authentic Diesel Horn for Your Layout

The kit of all the parts were available (at the time of the article) from CVP Products (the author's company). The article describes how to build this professional-looking, programmable diesel horn.

Build an Easy-to-use Staging Yard Controller

The author describes how he resolved the issues related to hidden staging yards using a micro-processor controller.

Build the Blinker

This article covers how to build a basic flasher circuit, includes printed circuit board diagram, and several ideas for application.

Build Your Own Signals

This article shows how, using some commercial parts, the author built the signal's head assembly, mast, electronics, and layout installation.

Build your own Steam Whistle for $45

The author shares how he built a steam engine whistle to fit in a box car that can be pulled behind a steam engine, thus enabling the sound without having to modify the engine. The whistle comes from a Tyco billboard unit. Includes a photo and a schematic drawing.

Building a Digital Fast Clock

Using a Radio Shack four-digit clock module, the author shows how to build a fast clock (operating about 10 to 12 times faster than a normal clock). Includes schematic diagrams, circuit board designs, final wiring diagrams, and a parts list. The article then covers how to operate using a fast clock.

Building a Hand-held Throttle

Diagrams accompany this article about how to build this throttle that has been in use with members of the Central New Jersey S Scalers.

Building a Model Railroad Speedometer

The author describes the workings and the construction of the electronic circuit for measuring the speed of an engine. It works by placing a magnet in a car in the train and two reed switches hidden in the scenery to measure the speed.

Building an Arduino Speedometer

Using an Arduino Nano, the author tests a design created by Brian Krupicka, which offers many configuration options and may be cheaper than commercial speedometers. Includes example installation photos, and a full schematic.

Building Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

The author provides a detailed guide for how to add exterior lighting to structures, to liven up the scenes.

Building Searchlight Signals

In addition to showing you how to build the structure, the author also describes in detail how to wire the LEDs, and install the signals on the layout.

Change Marx Light Tower to LED Lights

The author describes how he converted the tower's lights. Includes close-up photos.

Coil Saver

Building a circuit that will protect the coil switch machine from being fried by an operator who pushes the button too long. The article includes photos and schematic drawings.

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.

Command Control in S

This is an in-depth article describing what command control is, which the major systems are on the market at the time of the writing, how these systems works, and how to wire them to your layout.

Components Part IIIa

Covers various switches (toggle, slide, etc.), relays, SCR (also known as triacs), transformers, and optical devices (such photocells, IR LEDs). Includes a diagram for wiring up a DPDT toggle switch which can be used to reverse electricity, and a diagram for controlling relays using transistors.

Computers in Model Railroading

This is the first in a long-running column discussing how computers can be used in model railroading. This article introduces some terminology.

Computers in Model Railroading

This article presents a Basic computer program for printing a scale rule.

Computers in Model Railroading

Creating a fastclock/timetable that runs on the computer. Includes the basic programming language code.

Computers in Model Railroading

A Basic program for calculating plate girder bridge depth ratios.

Computers in Model Railroading

Using the computer to generate traffic switch lists, and creating text of certain fonts to match your scale.

Conquering "Schematicophobia"

While not fully understanding electronics, you can still build circuits that are found on the Web. This article covers a circuit that reports a train's presence on track via infrared components, and displayed via LED's on a control panel.

Constant-intensity Headlights for DC

Using a few electronic components, the article describes how to install this into a locomotive.

Converting to a New DCC System

The author switched his layout from using Digitrax to NCE. Explains the problems he was having with his Digitrax system.

CTC80 Command Control

Keeler Rail Specialties produced this system that uses a home computer to provide throttle control. Though obsolete now, it does provide insight into the history of command control.

Custom Circuit Boards

The author describes how he designs and has custom printed-circuit boards created.

DC on a Shoe-string

The author describes how he used a diode to have a DC locomotive run on half-wave AC output from a Lionel transformer. The article also covers full-wave (bridge rectifier) usage with AF steam locomotives, and converting AC AF locomotives to DC.

DCC and Me Part I

The author introducing himself and the reader to the new world of DCC. This installment covers a lot of the common terminology used.

DCC and Me Part II

In this installment, the author installs the components of the Wangrow Electronics System One DCC system.

DCC Currents

This installment covers the system components needed for a complete DCC system.

DCC Currents - an Introduction

The author introduces DCC, what it means, what it allows the layout operator to do, and how it works.

DCC Decoders

How to determine wheel-slip current draw and stall current, so that you can find the appropriate DCC decoder, is described in this article.

DCC Impulses

Pondering about what DCC might be like 5 years from now, the author first looks back as to the state of DCC five years ago, before making his predictions.

DCC Impulses

Using an HO-scale Atlas RS-3, the author describes his methods for how he thinks through a DCC decoder installation.

DCC Impulses

The author starts a series on wireless DCC, covering radio-frequency-based controllers. The author covers the CVP Airwire system and using their T5000 throttle, the Tam Valley Depot DRS1 system, and the Stanton S-CAB system (the last one the author has no real experience with).

DCC Impulses

In this part two of his topic of wireless DCC, the author covers batteries used for powering the locomotives. After some theory, the author demonstrates the measurements and use of batteries in his garden-layout set-up (most of the practical set-up doesn't apply to indoor railroading, though).

DCC Impulses

In this part three of his topic of wireless DCC, the author covers the completion of the garden-railroad system, by using batteries in box cars that power an RS-3. Includes a sidebar on how to change the channels on the CVP T-5000 throttle.

DCC Impulses

Digitrax simplex system, NCE duplex system, Digitrax duplex system, and what is the difference between these systems? The author describes incorporating a couple of the new Digitrax duplex system components in his club's layout, and reports that it works fine. There is a sidebar on how to deal with the Digitrax throttles that don't have an on/off switch.

DCC Impulses

How to deal with locomotives stalling. Includes a listing of the various keep-alive supercapacitor boards offered by manufacturers.

DCC Impulses

The author, in his final column, discusses the best approaches for installing sound decoder speakers in locomotives, and compares the smaller speakers available.

DCC Plugs and Sockets

The article covers the various DCC decoder plugs in use.

DCC Projects Using the Arduino

This article covers more advanced projects. Included are the DCC++ project with two Arduino boards to build a complete DCC command station, and a set of DCC decoders that you can build yourself (and using them for lights, motor, and animation control). Covers how to get printed circuit boards made. Includes a sidebar on what JMRI is.

DCC Track Power Supply for Cabooses and Passenger Car Lighting

Build your own constant lighting circuit using a simple PC board design. Includes parts list and design diagram, with a sidebar on how to make your own circuit board.

Developing the Soundtraxx Blunami

BlueRailTrains and Soundtraxx work together to test the Blunami sound decoder. The article shows photos of early test boards.

Digital Displays for Your Railroad

This article describes how to hook up a 7-segment Radio Shack display LED to a rotary switch to show the selected track in the yard (as an example) in the display, which can then be mounted to your control panel.

DIY Displacement Screw Terminal Strips

The author how he created PVC terminal strips to simplify the wiring of his friend's Lionel O-scale layout. Includes photos and step-by-step instructions.

Easy Block Detection and 2-Color Signals Part 2

Design diagrams and assembly instructions for a full-featured block detector that works for both DC and DCC. The article also includes a section on railroad signals and how to mimic them in models. A basic circuit for driving those signals is discussed, as well as a final "putting it all together" section.

Easy Electrical Pickups

The author converts a Kadee No. 5 coupler center spring to an electrical pickup for an IHC 4-4-0.

Electrical Impulses

The author shares his layout wiring tricks.

Electrifying N Scale Signals

This article is about an easy and inexpensive way to make working three-aspect signals in N-scale, but the electronics will work for any scale. Includes diagrams for signal construction, a mast drilling jig, the control circuit, and a typical interlocking installation.

Electronic Workshop

Turnout position indicators. Various solutions to the same problem. Covers stall-motor switch machines. Lots of schematics, and a parts list.

Electronics For Model Railroaders 101 Part III

Description of typical electronics projects components. Standard resistor value chart.

Electronics For Model Railroaders 101 Part IV

Dealing with 110 volt components.

Electronics Symposium

This column covers using the HT2014 LED flasher integrated circuit by Holtek, using a hall-effect sensor for turntable indexing, using an LM339 as a photocell detector, and a circuit design for automatically slowing an engine when it reaches the end of a spur.

Electronics Symposium

This month's column covers how to make a three-position semaphore control circuit, a how-to on using high-power AC wiring, and how to build a low-voltage power supply.

Electronics Symposium

This column covers building turnout-position indicator circuits, and using filter capacitors with low-voltage power supplies.

End-of-train Device

This article shows how to install an end-of-train device in a boxcar. An on/off switch and battery power the LED.

Engine Terminal Wiring

Breaking a storage yard into small blocks allows the controlled movement of just one engine in the yard, without the others moving as well.

Exploring Hall-effect Sensors

Using rare-earth magnets in engines and cabooses to trigger a hall-effect sensor to activate circuitry. An example given is an automated crossing gate system.

First Look

The author reviews the East Coast Circuits' Crossing Signal Circuit #501. Also reviewed is the ScaleTrains.com SD40T-2 tunnel motor.

First Look

The author does an in-depth look into the Soundtraxx new Blunami DCC sound decoder that is Bluetooth-enabled.

First Look: MRC Light Genie

The MRC Light Genie is a remote-control light control system, with special lighting effects.

Fred Without Limits

Installing Richmond Controls' circuits in a materials handling car, a center beam flat car, and a well car.

Fuel- and Water-level Simulators

The electronic circuit designs shown and described are for simulating a diesel engine's fuel gauge, and a steam engine's tender water gauge and boiler water gauge, with the added sound effects of a boiler explosion! Levels are indicated by an array of LEDs.

Fun with Photocells

The author presents several circuit schematics, such as a photocell LED driver, a photocell detector, a hidden fouling point detector, and driving other devices.

Fun with Phototransistors

How to use phototransistors in model railroading applications.

Fusees: The Poor Man's Block Signal

Using LEDs to simulate fusees to indicate trouble ahead. The author's fusees are tied into his block-system layout.

Getting Motor-vated

The author describes how he converts AF engines from AC to DC using Pittman and Kemtron motors.

Getting Started: Tools of the Electrical Trade

The article discusses the basics of using tools needed for electrical work.

Grade Crossing Flasher Circuit

A train approaches a grade crossing and warning flashers turn on. The flashers continue operating until the train is safely past the crossing. You can add this feature to your layout by building this flasher circuit. It requires a 5-volt power supplies, which was covered in the other article of this issue.

Grade-crossing Flasher

This article describes how to build a flasher using red LEDs. Scaled diagrams (for N-, HO-, S-, and O-scale) are included, as well as several prototype photos.

Great Running DCC Loco on a Budget

How to install a DCC decoder into a Walthers Proto2000 locomotive, and also how to improve them. Includes a sidebar on how to install wheel wipers in these engines.

Headlights: Tips and Tricks with SMD LEDs

The author describes a technique he uses to make SMD LEDs look like incandescent light bulbs.

How Fast? How Far?

This article describes how to build a speedometer/odometer for your model trains. It involves a gondola, a bicycle speedometer, and some metal parts to make this device.

How To Bring Old Lionel Locomotives Back to Life

This article shows how to remove the motor, take apart and replace the worn parts of the motor, lubricate the motor, re-install the motor, and test the engine. Includes step-by-step instructions and photos.

How to Make a Portable Control Assembly Using a Kurtz-Kraft TH-2A Throttle

How to install these throttles to operate A.F. AC equipment with DC throttles and track.

How to Operate Like a Pro!

The author introduces the new ProtoThrottle from Iowa Scaled Engineering (the throttle is designed for diesel locomotives with sound installed in them). Includes a sidebar on a day in the life of a railroader.

How To Simulate Flickering Fires

Provides several ideas to solving the same problem, i.e. creating the illusion of flickering fires, be they in a trash barrel, a burning building, or a machine shop. All the circuits are very simple. They all use the idea of a small transistor radio that drives a lamp of some sorts. The lamps suggested are plain bulbs, LED's, and neon lights.

Installing "Onboard" Command Control in S-scale Locomotives

The author describes how he was able to install the Onboard system by Keller into an AF PA-1 and a Rex Mogul. Includes diagrams and an installation photo.

Installing an N Scale End-of-train Device

Installing a Richmond Controls' EZ-26 kit in a Kato Amtrak MHC.

Installing and Running with the ProtoThrottle

After introducing the people behind Iowa Scale Engineering and their ProtoThrottle, the author delves into the unique throttle, which is based on the EMD Control Stand, and how to set it up with your existing DCC system.

Installing DCC Sound

The author describes how he installed a Soundtraxx Econami DCC sound decoder into a Rex Suburban locomotive. Includes installation photos.

Installing Onboard Command Control in S Gauge Part III

The author describes how he installed command control into an American Model FP7.

Installing Onboard Command Control in S Gauge Part VI

This installment covers installing the Keller Engineering system into an American Models GP, which proved to be difficult due to the lack of interior space.

Installing Onboard Command Control in S Gauge Part VII

This installment covers how to provide flicker-free lighting. Several engine installations are covered in the article.

Installing Onboard Command Control in S Gauge Part VIII

More about the flicker-free circuitry introduced in the previous issue, specifically covering the Rex engines.

Installing Onboard Command Control in S Scale Part IV, V

The article starts off with a preface by the editor Bob Jackson, correcting a number of mistakes in his previous introductory article on command control in the February 1992 issue. The series continues with a description of install the Onboard system in Omnicon F7 A and B units, and in an American Model GP9.

Installing Tri-color LEDS into Dwarf Signals

The author describes how he built these lights, and how to handle the issue of color "blindness".

Keep Your Legacy System Software Updated

The author describes how to obtain and apply the software upgrade for the Lionel Legacy base station and CAB2.

Kitbash a Fast Clock

This articles describes how to convert an inexpensive quartz clock to a variable-speed fast clock.

Layout Lighting

The author describes how he built a control panel to control the structure lights on his layout.

Layouts Should Be Seen and Heard!

This article covers self-contained sound systems, sound-effect CDs, interactive sound modules, under-layout sound decoders,

LED Lighting from a Big Box Store Works for Modeler's Use

The author shows how he found LED strips at his local Home Depot and installed them into a passenger car. He tackles the issues of how to power the strip (rail pickup), reducing the voltage (12-volts is too bright), and be able to run on both DC and AC. He found and used a buck module, along with a couple of other components. Includes many close-up installation photos.

Level Crossing Bell

Using a conventional door bell as the ringer for grade crossing warning signal.

Light Up Your Railroad

A guide for permanently wiring your buildings. Includes photos and diagrams.

Lighting

The author shares how he installed LED strip lights for his Plasticville and other structures.

Lighting Effects Using Fiber Optic Strands

The author describes using the Dwarvin Lamplighter 1 fibre-optic system for lighting structures.

Lighting Structures Using LEDs

The author provides the background information and examples of installing individual LEDs and strip LEDs for use in structures.

Lighting Up the Ditches

The author describes how he retrofitted his engines with 0603 LED ditch lights. Includes a sidebar on how to wire up an LED.

Locomotive Whistles on the Yosemite Valley RR

Describes how to build an electronic circuit to reproduce a whistle.

Make Your Own PC Board Wiring Terminals

The article describes the author's solution as an alternative to the rather expensive barrier strips for wiring switch machines. His strips are made from PC boards.

Make Your Own StayAlive

The article explains how supercapacitors work, how to build the circuit, and how to connect it to a Soundtraxx (and other) DCC decoder.

Markers, Drumheads, and Gyralights. Oh My!

While waiting for his new model railroad building to be completed, he decides to spend his time updating and finishing various projects, including installing marker lights, drumhead lights, and passenger car gyralight.

Miami valley S Gaugers Go 'High Tech'

The author describes how the club bought and installed a Programmable Logic Controller to run the eight accessories on their 32' x 20' club layout.

Model Railroad Running Stand Speedometer

The author describes how he built a running stand speedometer for as little cost as possible. Includes the electronics schematic for two solutions, photos of the components, and a screen capture of his custom software. This article is mostly considered an experiment.

Modeling Mercury-vapor Lamps

Making the blue-white LED's look like these lamps from the 1970s.

Modeling Sound

Adding sounds in the background using scenic sound modules. Includes a diagram for using the LM555 timer integrated circuit.

More Command Control

Continuing with the series of how command-control can be implemented in S-scale, the authors cover the ability to plug in the controller at various points along the layout and how to wire that with the Keller Engineering Onboard system, and how to wire the layout for the system.

More Lore...

The author describes how he takes audio speakers, dresses them up as buildings, and places them around his layout.

More on Realistic Passenger Car Lighting

Building a flicker-free electronic circuit to use LEDs to illuminate the passenger car interior.

MRH DCC Shortcuts Card

An explanation of the latest version of the magazine's DCC shortcuts document.

New Life for an Old Power Pack

Converting the AC output of an old hobby transformer into a quality 12-volt DC power supply with just a handful of parts.

Non-flicker Lighting for Passenger Cars

After setting up the requirements for their lighting system, the author set out to design, build, and test the components. The result is a design can be adjusted for each individual passenger car, is economical, and is truly flicker-free. Includes a parts list, and how to wire up a passenger car truck for electrical pick-up.

Operating American Flyer and other S Gauge Trains With TMCC Part I

The author shares his experience with converting a traditional A.C. Gilbert layout to Lionel's TMCC. Includes the layout track plan, and his wiring scheme.

Operating American Flyer and other S Gauge Trains With TMCC Part II

The author shares his experience with converting a traditional A.C. Gilbert layout to Lionel's TMCC. Includes detailed information about Lionel's TMCC system, the components that you need, and several photos of the author's layout.

Operating American Flyer On Direct Current

The author describes that A.C. Gilbert A.F. locomotives can run on DC track power just fine, and that using walk-around throttles is a good alternative to increasing the power of your power pack.

Panel Lettering for a Throttle

This article describes how the author used a computer to layout the lettering for the throttle, and then covered it with protective covering sheet.

PC-board Light Circuits

The author explains how he uses PC circuit boards to route power to any number of structure and street lights in his city scenes.

Practical Lighting

This is a re-run of the article that appeared in an earlier O Scale Resource magazine issue. It covers how to work with the tiny SMD LEDs, magnet wire, and how to install them into structures.

Preparing Structures for Interior Lighting

Methods of lamps, installation, and leak detection.

Preventing Lift Out Disasters

A tip on using a stereo plug to prevent track near a removed lift-out section from continuing to be powered.

Publisher's Welcome

A look at inexpensive structure lighting options that still allow for individual LED control.

Quad Servo DCC Decoder Part 1

The author describes the quad DCC decoder board he developed for control his turnouts.

Quad Servo DCC Decoder Part 2

In this installment, the author covers how he fine-tunes the turnouts' positioning by programming the quad decoder he built in the previous issue.

Quad Servo Decoder-Monitor Part 1

Using an Arduino Pro-Micro, the author developed a circuit board that can provide feedback about the current position of a turnout, which is controlled via the DCC accessories decoder he designed in the February 2021 MRH issue.

Quiet Action Caboose

The author describes how he converted his Lionel American Flyer Action Caboose to DC to reduce the noise of the AC motor.

Realistic Control for Grade Crossing Flashers

A complete description of an electronic circuit you can build to drive grade-crossing LEDs, triggered by a block occupancy detector.

Remote Control or Hands On?

The days of the large control panels are done. The author is building his layout with DCC and radio-frequency throttle.

Remote Control with Reed Switches

Using a reed switch to magnetically turn on or off lights in cabooses, passenger cars, and structures.

Resistance Wheelsets

This article covers how to add resistance wheelsets so that freight cars' presence can be detected by electronic circuits.

RFID Overview

Using RFID technology to track cars on your layout.

RRampMeter vs. a Standard Multimeter

The author explains why using a multimeter is not an adequate tool for doing voltage and amperage measurements on a DCC layout.

S Gauge One Evening Project

This half-page drawing-with-notes shows how to add a mars light to a passenger car.

S Lore

The author shares his method for automatic control for American Flyer reverse loops.

Scale Model Animation: Adding Life to a Layout

After introducing the concept of telling a story through realistic animation, the author describes how to build a mechanical timing and sequencing system for turning on lights in a building. He also introduces using a programmable sequencer board, how to model the animation involved with a grade crossing, and using DCC sound decoders outside of locomotives. There is a sidebar on the Arduino, and several programming scripts that can be used for programming the Arduino. Example projects included are an animated M.O.W. crane, an animate figure next to an airplane, and a conductor moving up and down a passenger car.

Semaphore Animation

Using a Basic Stamp and a RC servo to intelligently control a semaphore. Includes parts list, hook-up photos, and a Pbasic program needed to control one semaphore.

Short & Easy

The author describes his light-duty home-made resistance soldering tool.

Simple Battery Turnout Control

The author describes a solution he has come up with to throw a Tortoise-driven turnout by simply using a 9V battery.

Simple Block Detector

A simple circuit that connects to an Arduino or other device to detect block-occupancy on a DCC-powered layout. Has a sidebar on other block-occupancy detectors.

Sound Advice

The author examines how manufacturers tackle the difficult issue of sound reproduction inside our small locomotives. Covers both steam and diesel engines. Includes a sidebar on the history of sound in model railroading.

Sound and Motion

The author discusses some ideas for adding sound and animation to the scenery, and how not to overdo it.

Sound Decoder Best Practices

Tips for getting better sound out of DCC sound decoders. His focus is on the feature-rich decoders from TCS (Train Control Systems), ESU, and SoundTraxx (Digitrax and MRC are too limited or dated).

Sound Decoder Install in a Brass Locomotive

The author shares his experience installing a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 TSU-2200 DCC decoder in a River Raisin Models NKP S-2 Berkshire. Includes many close-up photos. The JMRI settings are also shown.

Sound for Rio Grande No. 50

The little diesel switcher is what got the authors from HOn3 to Sn3. The article covers how to do the installation, with the sound equipment going into a trailing box car.

Sound for the Bachmann HO Climax

The author installed the SoundTraxx DSD-090LC Light Steam decoder into this locomotive's tender shell. Modifications were necessary. Also includes the parts list and how to program the decoder.

Structure Lighting

Using cheap Christmas tree decoration lights to create interior lighting for structures. The article covers how to deal with the fragile light bulb wires

SWAC/2 Part 1

This article covers the design and construction of walk-around throttles. The design centers around the fact that only two or three wires are needed to connect to the layout, which means standard headphone plugs and wires can be used. Article includes the schematic, construction photos, printed circuit board layout, and parts list.

Symposium of Electronics

Crossing flasher and bell ringer circuit.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment has two circuits. The first is a simple chase light circuit, such as might be used for marques. The second is a signaling circuit that detects train movement across two reed switches to control things such as crossing flashers, signals, block-in-use signals, etc.

Symposium on Electronics

Correction of the Jan. 1982 light-actuated action crossing circuit, and the Mar. 1982 pulse add-on throttle. New topics include: diesel sound generator, and onboard steam sound.

Symposium on Electronics

The electronic schematic of an automatic switching circuit is covered. The idea is that an engine can be moved automatically from a point A to a point B, back again, and, with the turnout automatically flipped, on to point C and back to A. This might be good for an automatic Doodlebug passenger service on a layout.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment covers the design of an infrared photo railroad crossing detector circuit.

Symposium on Electronics

This article describes how to build a digital throttle. It is a very large project.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment covers an infrared led/photo transistor automatic train control circuit to allow a train to move back and forth without operator intervention.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment covers a reverse polarity detector, which can be used to indicate reverse polarity situations in a blocked layout, or to drive scale signals.

Symposium on Electronics

This month's column covers correcting errors in the February's issues' reverse polarity detector, and the traffic light controller circuit.

Symposium on Electronics

Includes 12-volt lamp driver circuit, a 12-volt traffic light interface, a night flasher, audio amplifier and noise generator, a pseudo-random-sequence generator, and an oscillator circuit.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment covers building repeater relays for throwing many points in complex tracks like double crossovers with one switch, creating a Mars light flasher, using the random-sequence generator from the February issue of this magazine to drive circuits for a telegraph sound module, a realistic flickering fire module, diesel sound, creating random on/off lights for residential homes, and traffic light synchronization.

Symposium on Electronics

Using RS-232 connectors to connect wiring between modules. Also discussed is the 555 integrated-circuit and how to use it to build a mechanical refrigerator car sound, a voltage divider, and a reed-switch turn-off delay.

Symposium on Electronics

This column covers the 741 op-amp. Included design diagrams include both the inverting and non-inverting amp, a follower amp, a summing amp, a difference amp, a decoupling amp, a tone generator, and a tone adder. The last two can be used to simulate diesel engine horns, which are usually the combination of a couple of individual notes.

Symposium on Electronics

This column covers the LM386 and LM383 audio amplifiers, and the LM317 and LM337 voltage regulators. Also included is a "laboratory" power supply.

Symposium on Electronics

This month's column covers "snubber diode" (to prevent electronics from being damaged by the switching of a relay), and full discussion of the now-extinct LM3909 integrated-circuit chip that made building LED flasher trivial. There is also a full discussion of how Transistor-Transistor Logic works (TTL). IC codes are explained as well.

Testing the Mike's Train House Infrared Train Activating Device

The author tests this device on his home Christmas layout, to have two trains run, one at a time, automatically. Includes a diagram of how he wired everything.

The Ah-hah Moment

Finding and resolving the issues related to destroyed DCC decoders.

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.

The Care and Feeding of Switches

The use of various toggle switches we use on our layouts, and how they work.

The CTC-16e: The Next Generation of Command Control Part 1

This installment starts the series that discusses how to build a 16-channel command control system. It talks about what command control is, how it works from a high-level point of view, what "CTC-16e" means, discusses the throttles, command power station, and auxiliary power stations. The article continues by discussing misconceptions about command control, the locomotive-installed receivers, sound, and building your own system. The article concludes with how to select a multi-meter and how to solder PC boards.

The Electronics Workshop

When building a large number of identical electronic components, taking the time to build a tester is worth it. The author needed 44 capacitor-discharge controllers for his yard's turnouts, so he built this tester. Includes diagrams and parts list.

The Electronics Workshop Part 11

This installment covers how to do troubleshooting.

The Roundhouse

The author covers using Track Trips to control automation of trains, and how to deal with AF switches overheating due to repeated use.

The Roundhouse

Using inexpensive digital recording devices to add sound to our layout. Several examples are detailed.

The Roundhouse

This article covers the American Flyer #695 reverse loop relay, which is an accessory device that Gilbert produced to make reverse loops easier with Flyer's two-rail AC system. Includes many hook-up diagrams.

The Roundhouse

This is the first part of two where the author will discuss the A.C. Gilbert AF turret transformer design.

The Roundhouse

The author continues the discussion of the A.F. Turret transformers. Includes an exploded-view diagram of the 18B and 30B transformers, as well as an electrical wiring diagram of the internals.

The Roundhouse

This column covers the A.C. Gilbert circuit breakers, and includes wiring diagrams.

The Roundhouse

Testing and using the A.C. Gilbert vibrator tubes that are inserted into the #708 Air Chime Whistle Control and the #710 Steam Whistle Control.

The Roundhouse

The author installs a FRED in an AF gondola.

The Roundhouse

How to repair the 1981 Flyonel diesel locomotive's E unit.

The Roundhouse

This article covers how to deal with the common-rail system when using multiple transformers to control trains on your layout.

The Roundhouse

How to divide a planned AF layout up into electronic blocks.

The SDX-1, a Diesel Sound System You Can Build Part 2

This installment covers installing the components on the circuit board, a side bar on how to solder components correctly, and how to test the box.

Three-Aspect Signal Driver

This article shows the design diagram and printed circuit board for making Automatic Block Signaling and Absolute-Permissive Block Signaling. Includes parts list and installation diagrams. Shows wiring for three- and two-aspect color light signal wiring, PRR and B&O position light signal wiring.

Toot-Toot Sound System

The author shows how he used the WT588D voice chip to store a .wav file of a diesel horn.

Track Tester

A simple device that verifies track power, polarity, and whether or not there's a short. One light will light up indicating that the rail directly under it is the positive rail. Disconnecting power to the track, and flipping a switch on the device will allow it to test against a short. Another light will light up in the case of a short. Parts list and diagrams are included.

Train Control and Battery Power

Detailed information about how trains have been controlled, what "dead rail" is, and how to convert your engines to battery power. The article is continued on page 33 of the PDF version.

Turnout Position Indicator

Various ways to display the current position of a turnout.

Turnout Testers

The author describes how he built several testers for testing solenoid-operated turnouts. One is a switch machine tester, and the other is a turnout continuity tester. Schematics and parts lists are included.

Using Sound Chips on Your Layout

Describes how to use the Radio Shack 276-1325 ISD1000A voice record-and-playback integrated circuit.

Using Your Computer to Select Layout Grades

This month's installment has a QBASIC programming listing for calculating how grades affect train performance. The article concludes with a review of new software programs useful to the model railroader.

Versatile Throttle-to-cab Connection Panel

Building a patch board for connecting throttles to cabs.

What Powers Our Locomotives?

A good explanation of how our locomotives have been powered from the 1950s (AC, DC) to now (DCC).

What's On Your Workbench?

The author's 4-wheeled railbus was picking up a lot of grimy during operating sessions in his home's attic layout, and how he resolved it. Includes close-up photos.

When is DCC Not DCC

The author doesn't want to upgrade all of his engines to DCC, but yet he wants the convenience of using a non-tethered hand-held controller. His solution is to use a very large DCC decoder that runs the entire layout.

White LED Headlights - a Brighter Idea

White LED's, driver circuit, and installation guide.

Wireless Cab Control for the Great Southern

This is a thorough discussion of using TV remote control infrared technology to control movement of locomotives.

Wireless Video from an RDC-2

The author describes how he selected and installed a transmitter/receiver pair and a tiny CMOS color video camera to show the engineer's view of the locomotive running on their club layout to visitors.

Wiring Tips

Covers block wiring, how to go about wiring a layout, sidings, wiring turnouts, wiring for DCC, and wiring accessories.

Working Ditch Lights for Modern Diesels

Using fiber optics to install ditch lights in an SD40-2 model.

Yard Wiring

This article covers how to wire your layout's single-ended or double-ended yard, including an automatic stopping section. Several diagrams are included to clarify the text.

You've Never Heard it So Good Part 1

In this article the author describes how to build a scenic sound system. It includes a parts list, and many diagrams.

You've Never Heard It So Good Part II

This installment continues with the discussion of the main integrated circuit chip by dividing it up into separate segments. It also briefly describes how the circuit can be used in a layout or on board an engine.

Your Top Tips

How to create a spade-connector from twisted wire.