New Product! DC Tortoise Control Panel

[wm3798]

Hey now, I built what was under the yard . . . .

As I recall, you and Foxx built that TWICE!

[KE4NYV]

Could we get a picture of what the screw terminals are labeled? I'm assuming I could use this with colbalts by using 4 of the screw terminals.

Sorry it took me a couple of days.  I have been working long hours on a 911 dispatch center upgrade at work.  You know, the job that makes me money because I sure as hell aren't getting rich on these products I make



Same pinout as our Tortoise Interface module.

Jason
www.rpc-electronics.com

[KE4NYV]

Also, I mentioned the option of using our RJ-45 adapter board to make wiring even faster.  Here are some pictures of that:











Jason
www.rpc-electronics.com

[peteski]

incorrect. the correct word usage is normal or reverse. it is stated this way on track warrants, on signal plans, and so on. Normal or reverse.

drasko

@draskouasshat

So as a person working for a real railroad would you venture a guess where this "thrown and closed" lingo originated?  Please don't say that it was Digitrax. 

[Jbub]

@draskouasshat

So as a person working for a real railroad would you venture a guess where this "thrown and closed" lingo originated?  Please don't say that it was Digitrax. 

Digitrax is an electrical engineering company that provides electronics for model train control. "Closed" makes sense from a circuit standpoint for mainline operations meaning it's "live". Open would also make sense too but changing terminology to thrown could appease the model railroaded in them.

[peteski]

Digitrax is an electrical engineering company that provides electronics for model train control. "Closed" makes sense from a circuit standpoint for mainline operations meaning it's "live". Open would also make sense too but changing terminology to thrown could appease the model railroaded in them.

If you have ever look at the Option Switch definitions in any Digitrax manual, you would likely agree that the "T" and "C" makes no logical sense (just like most of the info in their manuals).  True/false or enabled/disabled would be much clearer and intuitive.  But I guess this is not the thread for discussing the merits of the Digitrax system (but here and Digitrax are the only places where I have seen the T/C terminology being used).

[draskouasshat]

@draskouasshat

So as a person working for a real railroad would you venture a guess where this "thrown and closed" lingo originated?  Please don't say that it was Digitrax. 

Problem from some wannabe think they know it all model railroaders? That would be my guess honestly. Im not being an a$$ as that's an honest answer.

Drasko

[Point353]

If you have ever look at the Option Switch definitions in any Digitrax manual, you would likely agree that the "T" and "C" makes no logical sense (just like most of the info in their manuals).  True/false or enabled/disabled would be much clearer and intuitive.  But I guess this is not the thread for discussing the merits of the Digitrax system (but here and Digitrax are the only places where I have seen the T/C terminology being used).

JMRI also uses the terms "thrown" and "closed".
http://jmri.org/help/en/html/tools/Turnouts.shtml

Judging by the following thread, which seems to point the finger at Digitrax, this question has been around since, at least, 2005.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/32273.aspx

[peteski]

JMRI also uses the terms "thrown" and "closed".
http://jmri.org/help/en/html/tools/Turnouts.shtml

Judging by the following thread, which seems to point the finger at Digitrax, this question has been around since, at least, 2005.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/32273.aspx

Makes sense that JMRI picked it up from Digitrax (the most popular DCC system in USA). 
And of course we also have this thing of throwing/closing a turnout vs. throwing the switch.   Nobody stopped and thought about it.

[soo]

Whilst working for the CNW at Proviso and various other transfer runs, we always “lined” the switch. Line for the lead or line for the track in question.
For example, the yards at Proviso,,,2,4,5,9 had two color targets on the switch throws. Green was always the “normal” direction of traffic. Red was used for the crossovers. Yellow was used for yard tracks. The Red and Yellow targets would either have numbers or letters for labeling. For example, a yard track maybe any number like 9, or even a name like Pocket. The crossovers were numbered or named.
The targets were octagonal with a rectangular piece attached at 90 degrees at the centerline or pivot if you will. The rectangular piece was always green. All targets were scotchbright so you could see the line up by hand lantern or headlight from the loco.
On the IHB in the 90’s all the crossovers were of the hand operated type. The IHB dispatcher would tell us to “LINE” the crossover, then after moving through the control point,,”LINE” for normal or “Line for running track 1,2 or3”. The running tracks were “Normal “
Little extra:
The hand signal (for us at Proviso) to throw a switch was left palm facing up, then pointing at the palm with your right index finger you make a circular motion like stirring a pot. Then followed with the number of track you wanted. This as used as the senior man on the switch crew would have the list and he could direct the switching of the cars. Or you could use the radio,,lol. But......not everybody had a radio,,or batteries would die.

So there ya have it,,a little knowledge for youse guys.
Laters,Wyatt

[peteski]

Whilst working for the CNW at Proviso and various other transfer runs, we always “lined” the switch.
. . .
So there ya have it,,a little knowledge for youse guys.
Laters,Wyatt

But (to erase any doubts) did you ever use the "thrown/closed" lingo?

[soo]

Pete,
Not that I recall. I worked with some old heads,,they never used throwed or closed.
" hey kid go line us up for track 16 using the east crossover from lead 1 over to lead 2" " kid go throw the switch for the pocket so we can take beans"
Those were the days..lol....you could sit track side as a FRN and not get bothered by Leo's or RR popo.
Laters,
Wyatt

[KE4NYV]

Just an update.  These are shipping now.  Place an order today and they will be in the mail by the end of the day.  Please let me know if there are anymore questions directly related to this product or any other product on our site.

Place orders here:  http://rpc-electronics.com/tortdccontrol.php

Thanks!
Jason
RPC ELectronics, LLC
www.rpc-electronics.com

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just an update.  These are shipping now.  Place an order today and they will be in the mail by the end of the day.  Please let me know if there are anymore questions directly related to this product or any other product on our site.

Place orders here:  http://rpc-electronics.com/tortdccontrol.php

Thanks!
Jason
RPC ELectronics, LLC
www.rpc-electronics.com

Oh man, I wish I had these available back when I was building out Windsor St! Hell, I may even still use them while reconstituting it to keep things simple.
Thanks for the great product, even if we tend to be picky around here. Worst case scenario, we can ALWAYS make our own fascia plate covers.

[Rich_S]

In all seriousness, from the 1:1 -



we called them "normal" and "reversed". FWIW.

As someone who works for a 1:1 railroad I agree, "Normal" and "Reversed" are the terms used.  As for other words use, yes you throw a switch and then you make sure the switch points are properly aligned.

Jason, I think your products look great and are a great help in simplifying the wiring and control of Tortoise switch machines.  Not being a model railroad manufacturer, I do not know if is possible, but could you just include stickers of common phrases like "Normal", "Reversed", "Open", "Closed", "Thrown" and let the modeler decide which decal or sticker to use on their panel?