Adding MSS


The signal bridge shows green on the left because this train car does not set off the current detector and it isn’t far enough in the block for the optical detector to sense it yet. The right signal head is dark because some of the wires were damaged in transport. Often a problem in portable modules.

In Free-mo setups you normally just watch out for the traffic ahead of you but if you have modules with MSS (Modular Signal System) installed then you can watch the signals as you approach them to see if it’s clear to continue on. You still need to be aware of the overall traffic for when multiple meets happen. Once there were three trains coming from one direction and two the other way. You need to coordinate who goes when because sometimes a train will be too long for a siding or two trains can both fit in a siding. Fun times but I digress.

I knew that because the yard lead would foul the mainlines I knew I wanted to detect if that was happening and automatically change the signals to show the track was occupied down the line. It was really cool to see the signals work (except for one that was damaged in transport.) Unfortunately at this setup it wasn’t in a “full MSS” area so it didn’t change the signals down the line. I also need to add some more electronics but I’m getting ahead of myself here.

The train is occupying the near-side mainline so the signal
above it is red while the far-side mainline is clear so the signal is green.

More info coming