NX Routes in JMRI

Covid 19 lock down..

With all this Covid 19 lock down, I have now been able to find time to work on the panel for the layout. Im keen for the dispatcher to use routes to then drive signals etc.

The 1st step is to set up the panel with all the NX routes. Then add signals.

Here is the panel as it stands today.

Here is a demo of the panel in operation.

Now for signals.

Signal logic testing

JMRI Panel development

Its March 2020 and its a strange world we live in today with the COVID-19 pandemic happening globally. Most people in Australia that can work from home are working from home. The streets are quiet and the cities are empty. There is a rush on to stem the spread of the pandemic by self isolation in our homes and only venturing out to get supplies. We expect to be like this for a month.

So its time to get more work done on the railroad.

I have been working on a test JMRI panel to test NX route setting and signal logic. This will all then be built up on the main panel for the layout.

Good progress is being made. I have tested the SP signal logic from 1930 (SPTCO-1930) within JMRI. This does not give me the number of signal aspects I'm looking for to make the signals come to life.
Next I tried the AAR 1946 signal logic and this is much better as there are a number of different aspects for 2 search light type signals.
The D&H ran 3 search light signals for all home signals and dual for intermediate permissive blocks.
I will hard wire all my lower or 3 search light heads to red (to save on wiring and DCC signal driver outputs.) So in building the panel, it will show the 2 search lights that are active.

Here is the test panel that I have been working on.

The arrows in the track are part of the NX route setting. So the dispatcher selects the block to depart from and the block or signal to arrive at arrows and the panel sets the turnouts and the signals.
Rather nice feature I think..

It is working well.
There are a few bumps to iron out with the intermediate signals, but the NX routing is working a treat.

Next to move NX routing to the main panel and test it with trains on the layout.

JMRI Panel

Time to get going on the JMRI Panel

This week it was time to get going on building the JMRI Panel for the layout.
There is a long way to go..

The 1st steps is to get the basic diagram right and functioning with all the blocks and turnouts showing correctly.

There is also some logix built in to enable trains to automatically enter and exit the North and South staging on tracks 1 or 2.

Here is a sample of the work in progress.

Next is to go and set all turnouts to disabled when occupied. Then to set up NX routes to the dispatcher can set a route. Then this will set the turnouts and signals for the engineer.

Till next time.