For many in the hobby, a model railway is more than just a collection of trains, track and scenery. It's a living,...
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How do I create a story with my model railway?Read more -
How do I wire the controller to the track on a model railway?Read moreTo wire a controller to the track on a model railway, you will need to follow these simple steps :Connect the...
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Can I use fibre optics as a single lighting solution for buildings and streetlamps on my layout?Read moreYes, fibre optics can be used as a single lighting solution for buildings and streetlamps on a model railway layout....
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Why are ships' hulls painted red beneath the waterline?Read morePainting ships' hulls red beneath the waterline serves a specific purpose and has been a longstanding tradition in...
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Which type of turnout motor is best for my model railway?Read moreIf you are thinking about installing turnout motors (also referred to as point motors) on your layout, you may well...
Which switch do I need for a three-aspect analogue colour light signal?
Most toggle or lever switches used on a model railway feature just two positions. A type called an SPDT switch (on/on switch) is ideal for operating a two-aspect colour light signal as the two positions of the switch can be used to select between red or green. But what about three-aspect colour light signals?
Traditional toggle switches can still be used to operate three-aspect colour light signals, but you will need two of them per signal. In this circumstance, the first switch can be used to select between red and sending power to the second switch, we'll call that position 'proceed'. The second switch would therefore only receive power when the first switch is set to proceed. The second switch's two terminals can then be used to select between yellow and green. It's by no means a perfect system, but it does prove that it can be done.
A more traditional way of controlling three and even four-aspect colour light signals is with the use of a rotary switch. Rotary switches can possess an almost infinite number of positions, meaning it doesn't matter how many aspects (or combinations of) your signal has, there is always a switch out there to facilitate.
Rotary switches needn't be feared if you have never used one before. Their principle is exactly the same as a toggle switch with a power in terminal and multiple power out terminals, there's just a lot more of them, that's all.
Posted in: Power and control
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