Model Railway Forum

Hello can someone tell me if all blocks should be able to take the longest train any help please.

What are the blocks being used for?

I'm back I have train controller silver all of the blocks are long enough to take a train but one has a set of points in it , train controller says this must be avoided so what should I do just remove this one block. Thanks for your time on this.

Can you not have the same block number register either side of the point. Maybe piggy back the wires. As long as the point is isolated a long train would register either side of the point.

I don't know train controller silver just says not to have points in the blocks .

I have to admit I don't use PC layout control.
How is each block section detected?
I use current detection via DCC rail power with the traction current being passed via a current transformers and IRJs in one rail proved the boundaries of the section. These light indication LEDs on my mimic panel as section occupied or unoccupied

I'm using digitrax bdl 168 block detection board with pm 42 power distribution board and railroad & co train controller silver point control is by cobalt ip motors . But I still have the problem of this one block . Thanks for any help .

I use a bespoke loco detection and control system, which uses magnets on the loco to trigger reed switches on track. These sensors control the action of trains entering or leaving phantom blocks so it doesn’t matter if there are points in the mix or not. These blocks are in name only in the program and have no track break or other such limitations, merely the available distance between the in and out sensors. It works very well and is at extremely low cost.

I use iTrain and the advice about blocks and block detection is the same, it can't have points in it. I guess it really depends on what the block is being used for.

If you only want to see if the bock is occupied then piggy backing the wires probably wouldn't matter (provided it worked of course). It would show the whole block as occupied regardless of which side of the point the loco was on.

However, if you want to have accurate feedback from the block for either stopping or lights etc then don't do it as it would mess things up.
Train controller (regardless of which one) is probably similar to iTrain in as such as you have to report the length of the blocks as well as the length of your locos, wagons and coaches so the system can calculate train lengths stopping distances and such.

Sorry I can't help further.