St. Clair Sub Signal Install - Part 1 (Overview)

First off thank you to everyone who stopped by last month. I had over 4,000 views making July 2016 the all time record month since I started back in 2010! That said I am always looking to improve and provide great model railroading content. Over the past month I have dropped teasers and hints as to what the up and coming project on the Michigan Interstate St. Clair Subdivision could be. If you had not figured it out by now we are going to be adding a ABS signal system to the layout. Before we continue on I need to provide my disclaimer for this Layout How To Series:

Readers: The signals and signal systems that I will be reviewing and installing in my Layout How To series were provided at no cost by Azatrax LLC. However the selection, installation, operation, and opinion of these signals and systems are 100% my own. 

ABS Intermediate Signals east of Bay City

Backstory

The St. Clair Sub is a  "DTC" (Direct Traffic Control) dispatched line via dispatcher issuing specific blocks to trains which represents track authority. DTC as modelled is currently used by the Alaska Railroad. This segment of the railroad had never been controlled by a signals in my freelance world but has some of the highest daily train counts on the system. With rail traffic in this corridor showing strong future growth the State and Michigan Interstate Railroad decided to signal Bay City to Port Huron, roughly 100 miles. Once installed the modernized "ABS" Automatic Block Signal system will be a safety overlay for the existing Direct Traffic Control dispatching in addition to locomotive GPS receivers, and train crew remotely operated sidings. 

Overview
For some time I have always been awe struck by the complexity and uniqueness of signal systems that control North American railroads. No signal system is exactly the same while they all follow similar basic concepts. Even more impressive are model railroads who implement signal systems in a prototypical manner. Knowing that these systems can be costly, expensive, and complex I have always been intimidated and found the cons to outweigh the pros. Fast forward to some ops sessions ago when someone had asked "Signals in the future" so it got me thinking again and this time I was looking for a system that was easy to setup, modular, but still very prototypical to fit plausibly on my class 2 regional system. Searching the pages of a Model Railroader one afternoon I discovered Azatrax and the TS2 Block Signal circuit which met all of my requirements. Conversing with John Parsons the owner my questions were answered and fear of installing extinguished. If I can install this system over small evening work windows or on a Saturday so then could others have an opportunity to add something similar on their own railroad. 

The TS2 Signal Circuit from Azatrax is really a great product for any size layout including free-mo and modular setups because it is designed to operate by itself in virtual mode or in concert with any number of TS2s connected together creating an automatic block signaling system. That being said lets talk more about benefits and limitations of the circuit. 



TS2 Signal Circuit and sensors - Courtesy Azatrax LLC. 

Circuit Benefits:

• Simple (No resistor wheelsets, no track gaps, no programming required)
• Modular (Operate just one, ten, or add more as you have time and money)
• No interference with track or bus wiring (Operates Independent, no large layout downtime)
• Resistor Equipped (LED Signal ready - current limiting equipped)
• Polarity Smart (Whether signals are common anode or cathode, the circuit adapts)
• One package (IR LEDs and received pre-wired and included with circuit
• Quick connections to the circuit
• Cost effective $39.00 (TS2 circuit, 2 wired IR LEDs, 2 wired IR receivers)

Circuit Limitation

• Not current sensing detection based (Only detects train when it passes a block boundary)
• Not Centralized Traffic Control Signaling
• Not Automatic Permissive Block Signaling

Detection at block boundaries for the signal circuit are handled by an east and west pair of IR LED lights / receivers. When the IR light reflects off the bottom of the locomotive or rolling stock and is caught by the receiver it indicates being occupied. We will look behind the scenes of the detection install and testing in our next post where we install TS2 #1, signal 1, and signal 2.

IR LED light reflect off equipment and caught by receiver sensor - Courtesy Azatrax LLC

Example of sensor placement with signals for a single block - Courtesy Azatrax LLC. 

For folks with double track mainlines that run directional, Azatrax offers a TS2-D specifically designed to handle directional running. The install concepts from my bi-directional signal track install can be applied to the directional double track as well. If you want to look at the TS2 or TS2-D in more detail, I have provided a link to it directly on Azatrax's website. http://www.azatrax.com/block-signal-circuit.html

Diagram showing the modular connectivity of the TS2 circuit - Courtesy Azatrax LLC. 

Planning

Undertaking any large project like this requires a plan to stay on task and complete in a timely manner, Since the TS2 has different capabilities such as independent mode, connected mode, and interlocking functions its important we cover these so you the reader can see if this system would work for all or maybe a certain section of your railroad. Progressing through each phase the basic install will not change nor will the circuit but we will build upon each phase to showcase all of the functions step by step. When complete in October the layout will have ABS signals protecting from East Staging to Bay Yard and you the reader will have an online guide to help understand this products features and how you can install and use it. Starting with this post we will spend the next four posts installing wrapping up with a recap and operations post. 

Part 1 (Project Overview / Planning) - Early August

Part 2 (Phase 1 - Single TS2 with Virtual Blocks) - Mid August

Part 3 (Phase 2 - Connecting Multiple TS2s) - Late August

Part 4 (Phase 3 - TS2 Basic Interlocking) - Mid September

Part 5 (Phase 4 - TS2 Advanced Interlocking ) - Early October

Part 6 (Project Recap / Operations) - Mid October

The signal diagram provided at the top of this post shows graphically the DTC blocks, detection locations, signals, and install phases so you can follow along, Each post will include a diagram for the specific phase being installed in further detail. 

We will kick off the install posts next Wednesday with Phase 1 - Single TS2 with Virtual Blocks install. In this post we are going to install the sensors, TS2 circuit, test, install the signals, and operate in independent (Virtual) block mode. Appropriately these posts will be picture heavy to better describe each installation step. 

Westbound signal entering Bay City (Bay Yard) interlocking around curve. 

Approaching an exciting Layout How To series.

Check back next Wednesday for Part 2.

St. Clair Sub Diagrams

A lot of you guys have been asking for a trackplan of the MCIS St. Clair Sub and unfortunately I do not have one. Needless to say it is on my list of things to do, but in the interim we can look at each of the diagrams for each station. These diagrams will give you an idea of the industries, tracks, and general setup.

  Current timetable for MCIS St. Clair Sub

Keeping consistent with the direction of travel document in my "Run Over the Clair" post you can compare the photos to diagrams at your leisure. As we move from diagram you can keep yourself orientated to our location based on the line map of stations at the bottom of each diagram. Wherever we are the station box will be green. These diagrams are mounted on the fascia for operator refernence.

EAST STAGING (KINCAID BEYOND)

East staging is the origin/end location for trains coming from Port Huron, Detroit, and Sarnia. Each track can hold two locomotives and 11-12 cars for ops sessions.

GERHARD

Heading west from staging we come on-layout at Gerhard. At Gerhard the east siding switch (ESS) allows a train to use the long passing sidig between Gerhard and Grays Lake. From a customer perspective Huron Malting is the sole business with two tracks holding around six to seven covered hoppers serviced by the R-GEGL "Grays Lake Local". Additionally the upper continuous loop which also is the "long lead" begins here and connects Gerhard to Upper Huron to allow continuous train run. 

GRAYS LAKE

At the western terminus of the passing siding that begin at Gerhard is the town of Grays Lake. The R-GEGL is based here serving local customers 3M and Cooperative Elevator. Switching here can be a challenge at times with a trailing and facing point switch customers. Cars that are to be setout or picked up from the R-GEGL are left on the "local track".

UPPER HURON

Leaving Grays Lake we cross the Quincassee Creek bridge and enter the station of Upper Huron. Michigan Sugar , the largest customer on the west end of the "Clair" is located here. This station is unique in that it has a large wye where the Port Belle Sub branch leaves the St. Clair Sub mainline. The Port Belle Sub main that heads into staging is the same track that connects at Gerhard to form the upper level continuous loop. The L-BAPB local out of Bay Yard services Michigan Sugar and Saginaw Valley Power Cooperative on its east/north bound transit to Port Belle. Eventually the plant will have a trackmobile to move cars around internally. From Upper Huron the line heads slight down grade towards Bay City.

EDSEL - WEISS 

Both towns of Edsel and Weiss are unmodeled on the helix to provide distance. Eventual the second turn of the helix will be sceniced beyond the MDF board. At Edsel will be a defect / dragging equipment detector.

BAY CITY (EAST ZONE)

As we enter Bay City we see that there are four different diagrams for the trackage / customers. This is done to help simplify and break up the customers into zones for the local Y-BA04 "Bay Local" to handle. Some days only certain zones get switched since there are five customers not including interchange to the Lake State Railway or Huron Eastern. The east zone has one customer which handles inbound building materials adjacent to the east yard lead for Bay Yard.

BAY CITY (BAY YARD)

Continuing into Bay City we encounter Bay Yard which is a hive of activity on the "Clair". This yard has three locals based here along with work events for theough trains and as the terminus / origin point for two manifest train pairs. The DSF here handles basic running repairs, fuel, sand, and scheduled inspections. Any heavy work is done at the Mount Pleasant or contract shops.

BAY CITY (CENTRAL ZONE)

Located behind Bay Yard and the mainline is the Central Zone. This zone hosts Michigan Agricultural Commodities large terminal elevator that handles singles, blocks, and unit trains for agricultural products. Normally the east and central zones are paired together when switched.

BAY CITY (EAST ZONE)

Sandwiched beyond the Bay Yard west lead and foot of the Saginaw River swing bridge is the East Zone. Switching all three customers here will keep the Y-BA04 busy most of a normal session. A couple months ago the tracks were realigned to provide a decent run around for serving trailing and facing point customers at the same time. GEM Bakeries receives flour, sugar, and sweeteners while Fort Mackinac Corrugated receives paper for making corrugated boxes. The newest customers to locate at Bay City is Interstate Asphalt which receives liquid asphalt-bitumen products.

EAST STAGING (SQUACONNING BEYOND)

Passing over the Saginaw River Swing Bridge, the mainline heads off-layout towards west staging which represents Mackinac City, Grand Rapids, Mount Pleasant, and HESR interchange. Prior to descending to the staging yard a hidden switch connects to the LSRC interchange track found on the Bay Yard diagram allowing for lower level continuous run. West staging with its four track and descending lead allows for five trains to be sequenced for operation sessions.

I hope you enjoyed looking at the St. Clair Sub from a different perspective and when paired with the photos from the recent post you will have a greater understanding on how the railroad is setup. Please feel free to ask questions about of the diagrams.

Coming Up Next Month

With just a few days left in the month of July I will not be posting a late month update. However my Product Review - Install series is in the works for a first week of August publishing date. Check back next week as I start a multipart series showcasing the St. Clair Sub Signalling Project. During this series we will go into the planning, install, operation and product review of components used. The goal after reading this series is the confidence and ability for you the reader to add the same sort of system to your pike.

Have a safe week.

GM

Wordless Wednesday #71

Mid July Update

Did not think I would be publishing a Mid July progress post, but after doing work last night on the Lakes Forest Products spur I had the momentum to continue working on the east end of Bay Yard heading eastbound.

Signals will be installed at the "BAY" AEI reader site.

Area Refresh

Just like when Walt Disney World "refurbishes" rides with new additions, enhancements, or fresh paint the same applies for model railroads. The area around Lakes Forest Products was the first on the layout to receive scenery a few years ago. Since its creation there has been a lot of new scenery products that I wanted to introduce in this area. Icing the cake was the need to cutout scenery for the ABS signal masts and bungalows that will be joining the railroad shortly.

Contractors clearing the vegetation and excavating for the signal foundations.

Site excavation cleared, engineering dumped in fresh ballast for the area.

Signal site - timbers will be added to support the terrain on three sides of the sites.

In addition to adding the signal sites, engineering took the opportunity during the MOW window to dump fresh ballast from the east yard lead up to the "EDSE" DTC block sign. 

Ballast work on east yard lead and mains.

Ballast glued down - SuperTrees and static grasses will be added this week.

Signal installation at this site is expected to begin first week of August.

Lakes Forest Product

Circled back on this industry over the weekend. I had originally hit a road block with the pavement for the customer. After trying different mediums I settled on the Busch flexible asphalt sheet. Of course not before messing up at least two rolls.

Pavement installed on the mark this time.

Once the pavement was installed it was time to plant the facility and blend it in with surrounding scenery.

Sculptamold used to blend industry with scenery

Dirt mix wetted and glued down, a little dark but should lighten some once dry.

Overall view of the dirt over Sculptamold. Ground foams, grasses, and bushes will be added over the week.

Later this week with everything dry I will spray the asphalt material with a thinned Acrylic mix to help weather it.

Wrapped up for the weekend. Existing scenery refreshed, ready for new material and trees.

It was amazing what I got complete during four hours over two nights, always pays to have different types of projects "Shovel Ready". This scene has been given and prepped for updated look, paired with new materials it will look great for years to come.

GM

A Run Over The "Clair"

Instead of my normal update post, I had promised to do something a little different. This post we are going to follow a manifest train over the road from Port Huron to Bay City (Bay Yard) from the crews view perspective.

       Power on today's M-PHBA-15

Train Departure - (East Staging)

Coming out of staging the we enter a broad curve with a slight grade before reaching the first online station of Gerhard.

 Curve coming out of staging towards Gerhard. Scenery required....

Train Passing - (Gerhard, Michigan)

Approaching the east siding switch at Gerhard where we have been authorized to occupy the "GRAYS" DTC block. We see the rail lines future next to the concrete silo.

Staying on the main we continue on through Gerhard.

Rolling along soybean and corn fields west of Gerhard. Soon these crops will be harvested and on their way to

market via this very rail line.

Continuing west, we see the setout track for the Grays Lake Local and continuance of the passing siding from Gerhard.

Train Passing - (Grays Lake, Michigan)

Entering Grays Lake we see the power for the "Grays Lake Local" tied up on the industry spur to our right and the passing siding coming back into the mainline.

Passing thru town we approach the Quincassee Creek truss bridge in need of some serious engineering work.

Train Passing - (Grays Lake, Michigan)

Crossing the bridge, we reach the east wye switch. In the distance is the sugar beet plant with stored cars on the east leg of the eye. 

Curving through Upper Huron we see the east leg of the wye to the right with railcars on it, and the west wye leg straight ahead which continues to Port Belle.

West leg of the wye converging back into the mainline. From this point to Bay Yard the line has a gradual declining grade.

Train Departure - (Edsel and Weiss, Michigan)

                   Helix - Turn 1

                  Helix - Turn 2 

Transitioning from Edsel to Weiss. Neither stations are modelled beyond the sign in Turn 2.

Train Arrival - Bay City (Bay Yard)

Train slows prior to reaching the end of Weiss DTC Block limit, where Yard Limits begin.

Passing the "BAY AEI" reader site prior to reaching the east yard lead switch for Bay Yard.

Diverging onto the East Yard Lead at Bay Yard.

Proceeding at 10mph we see main 1 and 2 to the right.

      Beginning of the east yard ladder.

Yardmaster lined us for the "Yard 01" track.

Bringing the train to a stop, the journey from Port Huron to Bay City is complete. In the distance we see the Bay City Division office which will also be our off duty point.

Our next post here in a few day will walk through each station diagram from east to west on layout. I had hoped to put that content in this post, but it ended up being too much for a single post. Stay tuned!

GM