Helix Resources

These are some other pages talking about different ways to build helixes on model railroads. 

Wilmington & Northern Branch

Double Pinwheel Helix

Scenery Bookmarks

Articles and videos related to scenery for later use.

Speed Ballasting

Signaling options with DCC, Digitrax, and JMRI

I'm planning to eventually include signals on my layout since those are hallmarks of modern railroads. I've already started installing detection blocks as I'm building the layout, but adding signals will require more hardware and software. This page is a bookmark of videos I've found dealing with adding signals using Digitrax and JMRI.

One of the recent developments is a set of simple, low cost signals that are available from Model Railroad Control Systems. These signals are just LEDs mounted on a silver piece of PC board, but they cost $14.99 for a 12 pack. Leaving out the cost of the signaling hardware, you can have a signal up for a buck and a quarter.

http://www.modelrailroadcontrolsystems.com/simple-low-cost-signals-single-high-head-12-pack/



These look like a good stand-in until I can afford to put in the fancy realistic signals, which will set you back a lot of money.

Virtual Signals Demo

JMRI Signaling Part 1

JMRI Signaling Part 2

JMRI Signaling Part 3

DCC Speed Matching

One of the benefits of using DCC is that it's far easier to put multiple locomotives together to provide more pulling power on the layout. Having two diesels back to back means you don't have to turn them around, too. This article is to bookmark some videos I've found on how to speed match locomotives so that they run better together.

Speed Matching with DCC

Speed Matching with JMRI