Automatic switch demo for HO layout using IR (Infrared) sensors and LEDs

This video documents the operation of 3 working IR LED sensing switch machines on my DCC HO layout. The circuitry was designed by my father and I replicated it for 3 applications on my layout. It is pretty flawless in its design. It is not DCC turnout controller compatible yet, but there are ideas in the works for how to work around it. The switches do have manual atlas controllers on them as well. The primary motive power is a ViTrains Minuetto. One of my favorite engines with a LokSound decoder factory installed.
Link to circuit diagram:
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae123/LindaOrBill/Forum%20photos/IRRelayCi...

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• IR
• infrared
• sensor
• automatic
• switching
• HO
• Train
• DCC
• Roco
• Diesel
• electric
• circuit
• relay
• latching
• layout
• LED
• heat
• Shrink
• Bill Holmes
• ViTrains
• Minuetto
• IR detector
• IR sensor
• model railroad
• HO layout
• High Speed Train
• TGV
• micro
• electronics
• computer
• control
• lenz
• roco
• SD40-2
• logging
• mallet
• 2-6-6-2
• Blueline
• broadway
• limited
• mantua
• model power

[MrMuddshovel]

who makes those dwarf signals ? did you make those two ?

[4everunner]

@MrMuddshovel I picked up the signals on ebay... Search something like RED & GREEN 2 POSITION BLOCK SIGNAL LEDS HO SCALE or Bipolar signal HO and hopefully they are still out there. The ones I used are bipolar, but I'm not using them that way, so the straight red green would work I just didn't like the colored lens showing. I then cut and trimmed StripStyrene H-column 1/4" (item no. 287) that I picked up at a local hobby store to the correct size and shape that I wanted, painted and glued on.

[4everunner]

I posted the wiring diagram as a link in the description above: /\

[javitoferreyra]

is there any chance you can provide the layout? I fall in love with it... what is the size of the layout ? thanks a lot... beatifull

[4everunner]

@javitoferreyra

Shoot me an email at flyfisherak@hotmail.com and we can discuss the schematic.

15'X8' is the total foot print with 3' off the wall at the widest spots and 18" at the narrowest.

[vidfreak727]

i like your layout

[andersonjjj333]

very nice

[fadhilwong]

Excellent!

[javitoferreyra]

I cannot stop watching...

[stephen65la]

that is amazing. I'm doing my very 1st layout and it will be my last. so I want to do it right. I also looking to run real lights. I am doing a Atlas HO-25 and now I am looking at switch indicator NJS1300 by NJ International, but looking at your set-up, I like to see about IR to control all my switches so I can just sit back and watch all my trains on my layout.