Abstract: This invention pertains to model railroads and specifically to the problem of detecting the presence or absence of cars, locomotives, or obstructions which may occupy a particular section of track. Modulated signals of radio frequency are applied to the track via a balanced transformer and detected synchronously. A circuit is provided for nulling the detected signal in the absence of any occupation in such a manner that any change in detected signal represents an item which occupies that track section. The use of radio frequency signals and synchronous detection enables the system to be very sensitive, and to detect objects which do not necessarily form a direct current path across the rails.

Abstract: A model railroad car position indicator includes a sensor receptive to the presence of a model railroad car on a track. Control circuitry determines the location of the car relative to a predetermined position on the track and approves initiation of a model train process if the car is within a range of acceptable positions for initiating the process. A preferred embodiment includes circuitry for determining whether the car velocity is less than a predetermined threshold velocity. In this embodiment, approval of initiation of the model train process is conditioned on both the car position being acceptable and the car velocity being acceptable. An indicator provides feedback to the model train operator for manual initiation of the model train process. Alternatively, the control circuit may automatically initiate the process.

Abstract: The invention refers to a circuit for the busy indication of track sections (1, 2, 3, 4) electrically isolated from each other of a model railway system digitally controlled by a control center (Z). After a controlled digital receiver (E) of an engine determines its own address code with the help of a decoding device, it provides a busy signal via a signal generator (8) to the assigned busy indicator (BM3). To simplify the circuit considerably and to be able to do without the the RF-signal generators so far used in the engine and corresponding RF-receivers of the busy indicator, the signal generator of each engine (A, B) comprises a d.c. source providing a busy signal of a given polarity corresponding to the engine direction on the track as the busy signal to the busy indicator (BM3).

Abstract: A new and improved automatic track switching control apparatus is provided for a switch assembly in a track layout for a lamp-containing model train. The automatic track switching control apparatus includes a first light sensor assembly which is supported by a base and which is located in the vicinity of a switch assembly in the track layout. The first light sensor assembly senses light emitted from a lamp on the lamp-containing model train as it approaches the switch assembly. A signal processing assembly is connected to the first light sensor assembly for receiving the electrical signal representing the approach of the lamp-containing model train to the first light sensor assembly. A switch-flipping assembly is connected to the signal processing assembly for receiving a second electrical signal for controlling switch status of the switch assembly. The signal processing assembly includes a counter assembly for counting first electrical signals provided by the first light sensor assembly.

Abstract: A train detection circuit is provided to determine whether a particular section or block of railroad track is occupied by a train. In one embodiment, a bias current generator is used to provide a low current signal that flows through the rails and through the wheels and axles of a railroad engine or car, such bias current ultimately being directed into a train detection circuit which measures the magnitude of the received bias current. If the bias current is greater than a certain magnitude, that is indicative of the particular block being occupied by a train. In second embodiment, a continuous pulse signal is directed into one rail, through a resistance bond, and through the other rail into a train detection circuit. The magnitude of this received pulse at the detection circuit will be quite small unless a train occupies the block. The received magnitude of the pulse signal can be compared to a predetermined threshold to determine the presence of a train in the block.

Abstract: In a transportation system of a floated-carrier type, a carrier is suspended from a guide rail, in a non-contact manner, and is propelled along the guide rail. The transportation system includes a plurality of track units, each having the ferromagnetic guide rail, an electrical wire, and a pair of connectors provided to both ends of the electrical wire. Each track unit comprises minimum and necessary elements required for traveling the carrier. When a connector of one track unit and that of the other track unit are connected, connection of electrical wires necessary for this system is completed. For this reason, an operation for mounting the electrical wires in the track can be omitted, and installation of the track can be facilitated. Furthermore, when the travel path of the carrier is to be modified, a combination of track units can be freely changed, thus realizing various travel paths of the carrier. For this reason, the travel path can be easily modified.

Abstract: A modular control panel for controlling the switching operations in a miniature- or model-railway-line has grooves which reproduce the railway tracks, contacts being applied to the groove bottoms in the neighborhood of railway crossings, and is improved by the provision of a rotatable direction indicator placed at every line intersection so as to mask one or the other branch of a line bifurcation with one of its halves, the other half of said indicator defining the correct direction.

Abstract: This travel direction indicator is for model railroads, and serves to indicate the direction a model train will travel on a track. Primarily, it consists of a pair of spaced-apart optical fiber rods, each having arrow head like indentations, the group on one rod facing in one direction and the other group, of the other rod, facing in the opposite direction. It further includes a panel for mounting the rods, and a switch is coupled to a pair of bulbs in the panel to illuminate each rod selectively, which will indicate the direction a train will travel, by the lighting up of the arrow-like indentations.