Wiring Signals Using SPST Toggles

[Guilford Railman]

I’ve mentioned before on this forum that I am electrically challenged. I am looking for feedback on wiring a couple signals on my layout using SPST toggles.

Here is a schematic on what I’m looking to do:

A fellow hobbyist on FaceBook added the signals to my track diagram. MVHomeEast and MVHomeWest are my railroads signals that control entering the block. MVBerxEast is the signal that controls the BERX entering the interchange within the block. The remaining signal is a dwarf signal controlling movement in and out of the MV Materials spur.

If I’m not mistaken, MVHomeEast and MVHomeWest will be 2-head signals, MVBerxEast will be a single head, and as mentioned previously the spur signal will be a dwarf. Rule 292 (Stop and Proceed) applies to this entire block for both my RR and the BERX. Only yellow and red aspects will be used.

Now, with this info I’m hoping someone can clarify if I can wire the signals per the diagram below:

This schematic only shows a single head signal but the two-head signals will need 4 toggles each (Not wiring in green). This diagram was found at this link: https://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/wiring-railroad-signals.html

The reason I’m considering using toggles (even if there will be many) is that it’s cheaper as compared to purchasing a board from Atlas or another manufacturer. Each signal head needs a board which is approximately $30.

My question is this…is there a way to wire the signals using SPST toggles where they can work together? i.e restricting on one end of the block for my RR to enter and stop on the other end for the BERX.

 

[Canalligator]

Unless more than one of the lamps in a signal head are to be on at the same time, I’d use one 1P3T rotary switch per signal head, instead of three SPST switches. That one switch might cost more than 3 SPST switches, but the operation will be so much cleaner. Easier to build too.

Actually, what I usually recommend is that you find a good online tutorial with practice exercises,and learn some electronics. But nobody ever listens to that advice.

 

[Rico]

Yeah I have to agree using three toggles for one mast head seems excessive. It would work tho.
I’d recommend using a triple pole single throw switch instead. (combines the three singles)

On my previous layout I just used a DPDT switch to reverse polarity on two bi-color LEDs. It only gave a red green indication of course but I believe a tri-color LED could be controlled similarly.
May not be what you’re looking for however.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Unless more than one of the lamps in a signal head are to be on at the same time, I’d use one 1P3T rotary switch per signal head, instead of three SPST switches. That one switch might cost more than 3 SPST switches, but the operation will be so much cleaner. Easier to build too.

Actually, what I usually recommend is that you find a good online tutorial with practice exercises,and learn some electronics. But nobody ever listens to that advice.

I didn’t think of using a 1P3T toggle but that’s a good idea!

Is there a specific site you recommend? I have tried some of those in the past and I was confused on how to navigate the platforms I tried. Don’t remember which ones they were but perhaps the sites were fine and my brain was/is the problem lol

 

[Guilford Railman]

Yeah I have to agree using three toggles for one mast head seems excessive. It would work tho.
I’d recommend using a triple pole single throw switch instead. (combines the three singles)

On my previous layout I just used a DPDT switch to reverse polarity on two bi-color LEDs. It only gave a red green indication of course but I believe a tri-color LED could be controlled similarly.
May not be what you’re looking for however.

I’m still researching what types of signals are best but I was picturing that MVHomeEast and West were 2-head searchlight style signals with red and yellow/amber to be used.

The only signals needed here for either railroad would be an absolute stop (red over red) or restricting (red over amber I think). Still need to confirm that’s correct.

A DPDT might work too. I will have to play around with that idea as well.

 

[trailrider]

You can Google "Railroad Signals" and get all kinds of information, depending on the railroad and the era. The only signals I use simulate interlocking points. Not prototypical, you say? The Joint Line south of Denver was "dark" for many years, depending on Time Table/Train Order (TT/TO), with no signally in at all! Nowadays, they go by whatever the BNSF and UP use.

 

[Guilford Railman]

You can Google "Railroad Signals" and get all kinds of information, depending on the railroad and the era. The only signals I use simulate interlocking points. Not prototypical, you say? The Joint Line south of Denver was "dark" for many years, depending on Time Table/Train Order (TT/TO), with no signally in at all! Nowadays, they go by whatever the BNSF and UP use.

I’ve done some googling and I’ve been chatting with a fellow model railroader on FaceBook. He suggested a book called Railroad Signaling by Brian Solomon. Received it a few days ago and I’ve started reading that. Very interesting stuff!

 

[RhB Michael]

I’ve done some googling and I’ve been chatting with a fellow model railroader on FaceBook. He suggested a book called Railroad Signaling by Brian Solomon. Received it a few days ago and I’ve started reading that. Very interesting stuff!

Here is an example from Digi-Key. I tend to shop there if they have what I need because shipping is usually cheaper than Mouser.

SWITCH SELECT 4POS SP3T 4A 125V This switch has four positions. One can be used to turn off the aspect, and the other three for your LEDs.

The selection of available switches increases with an increase in the number of positions. You can have a single-pole rotary switch with as many as 10 or 12 positions. Of course, you don't have to use the extra positions. I only write this because your selection is much larger.

There are also 2-pole switches with up to 10 or 12 positions that could be wired to control two aspects at once at each end of a block. One position turn of the switch could change one aspect from red to green, and at the other end of the block would change from green to red. This might not work well with a yellow intermediate aspect though.

The switch in the link is $16. About the same price you would pay for three quality toggle switches, but much more convenient.

 

[Rico]

Your signal at BREX is just like a “self serve” diamond where the SMNR (former CNR) crosses the CPR at Morris Manitoba.
We would get to the stop signal then hit the switch which set a timer to allow a train to clear the diamond before they got the red. I recall it being a single head signal, maybe I can find my photos.
When we got the green we could proceed through, neat setup!

 

[Guilford Railman]

Here is an example from Digi-Key. I tend to shop there if they have what I need because shipping is usually cheaper than Mouser.

SWITCH SELECT 4POS SP3T 4A 125V This switch has four positions. One can be used to turn off the aspect, and the other three for your LEDs.

The selection of available switches increases with an increase in the number of positions. You can have a single-pole rotary switch with as many as 10 or 12 positions. Of course, you don't have to use the extra positions. I only write this because your selection is much larger.

There are also 2-pole switches with up to 10 or 12 positions that could be wired to control two aspects at once at each end of a block. One position turn of the switch could change one aspect from red to green, and at the other end of the block would change from green to red. This might not work well with a yellow intermediate aspect though.

The switch in the link is $16. About the same price you would pay for three quality toggle switches, but much more convenient.

Thanks for the information! That definitely seems like what I’ll need for this project. I’ll check out the link.

 

[Guilford Railman]

Your signal at BREX is just like a “self serve” diamond where the SMNR (former CNR) crosses the CPR at Morris Manitoba.
We would get to the stop signal then hit the switch which set a timer to allow a train to clear the diamond before they got the red. I recall it being a single head signal, maybe I can find my photos.
When we got the green we could proceed through, neat setup!

I didn’t know there’s a “self-serve” setup, very cool!