diode matrix with tortoise switch machines?

Question

Hi,I'm planning on building a yard using Tortoise switch machines, and Iwanted to have the ability to be able to press a button on the controlpanel that corresponds to a track for which I'd like the turnouts to bethrow/aligned. As I understand it, this is accomplished using a diodematrix?  Also, I have seen variations on this capability at a MR clubwhere one could press a 'start' button and 'destination' button and allturnouts in between are thrown/aligned.Question: What articles/books exist that would show an electronicsnewbie how to wire this, particulary with Tortoise machines?Thanks in advance.

kt0t · Accepted Answer

There are lots of ideas for roll-your-own circuits on Rob Paisley's site at:

Paul Newhouse · Answer

If the button activates a relay, that relay can be connected via the matrix to power the necessary switches. You will need a mechanism to deactivate the previous relay.

For a "start"/"entrance" and "destination"/"exit" setup you will probably need a diode matrix for each end.

Another post points you to Bob Paisley's site, good stuff. The club I belong to uses a slightly different approach. One button, when depressed, increments an counter. When you release the button at a particular number the corresonding relay, for that yard track, is activated, all others are deactivated. That relay provides + and

- voltage to the diode matrix for that yard track and power to the corresponding track. It uses a Basic Stamp chip to run the led display and activate the relay. The diode matrix is a physical manifestation of a directed path state diagram.

Good luck and enjoy, Paul

kt0t · Answer

There's also another way (probably many "other ways") to accomplish the objective. On my layout I control all yard turnouts via software. I have CTI software and hardware installed

formatting link

have written the software to allow selection of any yard track by pointing to a button at the end of the track. All switches are aligned for entry/exit. When the train is out of the yard I have a "finished" button that resets the lead for the mainline. Works fine and I can change track colors to show the complete alignment (just like one of the real dispatch centers I saw looked). It works!

John Slean · Answer

There is an article in the August 1987 issue of Model Railroader that has a circuit which will allow you to use pushbuttons and a diode matrix to contol Tortoise switch machines. I have about 3 dozen controlled with this circuit. It works very well.John Slean

The CB&Q Guy · Answer

Also check out . . . this is helpful.Paul - "The CB&Q Guy"Modeling 1960's in HO.

diode matrix with tortoise switch machines?

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?