Simple Example of a Yard Ladder with Manual Route Buttons. (Hidden Yard)

It is important to set OptionSwitch 11 and 15 to closed on the DS64 to enable route commands from local inputs. Make sure the momentary-on push buttons are wired as shown in Fig.1 above.

Option Switch Configuration.

Push the OPS button on the powered DS64 for about three seconds until the red led begins to blink. Select switch number 11 (option switch) with your throttle and send a closed command. Push the OPS button again until the red LED stops to blink.

Route Programming.

For this setup, the STAT button must be pushed on the DS64 until the green LED begins to blink quickly. This will put the device into the “learn” mode. Then follow the worksheet below for the route setup.

Each route is a independent setup so you must re initialize the learn mode for every route.

See the DS64 manual for detailed description on how to set the option switches and the steps to program the routes.

To setup the four routes that lead into each track of this yard, enter each route as shown in the table below to your DS64. Note that for a route that contains less than 8 inputs, the last input must be repeated to terminate the setup. To maintain consistency to activate a route with a “closed” command, the top addresses is entered again at the end of the string if that turnout needs to be in the “thrown” position for the route as shown in route 2,3 and 4 in this example. Note: Since we also used switch number 5 as a top address for route 5, Switch number five will also be activated if that switch number is assigned somewhere else on the layout. So we have to be careful when assigning route numbers.

Route Table Worksheet for Programming

Route Group	Turnout 1 Top Address	Turnout 2	Turnout 3	Turnout 4	Turnout 5	Turnout 6	Turnout 7	Turnout 8
R1	1c	(1c)
R2	2c	1t	2t	(2t)
R3	3c	1t	2c	3t	(3t)
R4	4c	1t	2c	3c	4t	(4t)
R5	5c	1t	2c	3c	4c	(4c)
R6
R7
R8

In the next worksheet we use the same track scenario but the turnout numbers are different and not in sequence. We first need to set the switch addresses for this new setup. We use switch numbers 17,28,29 and 35. Refer to DS64 Address Programming in your users manual for details. Then we need to setup the routes with these turnout numbers. We recommend to use a “virtual” route number whenever possible to avoid conflicts with other routes and turnouts. This means no turnouts in a route that are the top address of another route unless placed there on purpose to trigger a cascading route. (see Cascading Routes Example) Using virtual numbers would also eliminate the potential problem with switch number 5 as outlined in the previous example.

Route Table Worksheet for Programming with VIRTUAL Route Top Address

Route Group	Turnout 1 Top Address	Turnout 2	Turnout 3	Turnout 4	Turnout 5	Turnout 6	Turnout 7	Turnout 8
R1	101c	17c	(17c)
R2	102c	17t	28t	(28t)
R3	103c	17t	28c	29t	(29t)
R4	104c	17t	28c	29c	35t	(35t)
R5	105c	17t	28c	29c	35c	(35c)
R6
R7
R8

Here, the “virtual” route number is made up of the first digit indicating a route while the other two digits represent the track number used for the route. The route can also be operated by a throttle. Use easy to remember route numbers and the same state to activate if you use the throttle to set the route. If used only with the push-button or in advanced applications with a computer, it could be any number that is available. Keep the worksheet for troubleshooting.

Simple Example of a Yard Ladder and RR Crossing Blinking Signal.

For this example we use a similar setup as above but with one less yard-track and with a RR crossing between turnout 17 and 28. We also use independent turnout addresses to demonstrate the flexibility that the DS64 offers. Here, route (track) 2 3 and 4 will activate the blinking light when set and the deactivation is done by resetting to route 1, the main line. The advantage of this setup is that you can easily do operating RR Crossing lights without the need for additional equipment for block detection. The turnout output utilized for the RR crossing operation is simply integrated into the route setup.

Additionally to the route setup, we will set OpSw 20 and 3 to closed to enable the “Blinking” effect for output 4 which we programmed to switch number 35 in the example above.

Route Table Worksheet for Programming

Route Group	Turnout 1 Top Address	Turnout 2	Turnout 3	Turnout 4	Turnout 5	Turnout 6	Turnout 7	Turnout 8
R1	101c	17c	35t	(35t)
R2	102c	17t	28t	35c	(35c)
R3	103c	17t	28c	29t	35c	(35c)
R4	104c	17t	28c	29c	35c	(35c)
R5
R6
R7

Sensor Activated RR Crossing Lights with the addition of a BD4:

If you prefer, you can automate the blinking lights with block occupancy sensors. You simply install a BD4 to detect track occupancy as shown in the figure below. Other than removing the switch 35 commands from the routes in the example above, there is no additional programming needed for the DS64. However, sensor operated occupancy requires that all rolling stock is equipped with resistor wheels for proper detection or that the detection section is longer on each side of the RR Crossing than the full length of a train since only the locomotive will draw current. A lighted caboose on the end of a train can also be used to keep the Crossing Lights going after engine exits the detection section.

In this example, the main line only needs to trigger the RR Crossing if the route is set to enter or exit the yard. This can be accomplished easily by using both inputs as sensors for output 4, which is switch address 35. S4 is wired to the sensor output 1 on the of the BD4. The Yard ladder must be gapped on the same rail for detection after the turnout of each yard track as well as between switch17 and the RR Crossing. Track output 1 of the BD4 must be connected directly to that detection section. The detection section on the main line can not be connected directly to the BD4 because the RR Crossing Signal should only activate if a train enters or exits the yard. Therefore we must route the power to that section through the DPDT input of the turnout machine if it is a tortoise. The other input is undetected power from the same rail while the output is wired to the detecting rail of that section. See the following schematic that explains this setup in detail

(If you use solenoid operated turnouts, you might add a snap relay parallel to the turnout solenoid to handle the switching of the track power.)

Sensor activated Automated Yard Exit Routes:

In this example we add some more features to complete the capabilities of the DS64 / BD4 combination. Additionally to the fascia button, we utilize the remaining sensors of the BD4 to automatically select the exit route if triggered by the advancing train. For this purpose, each yard track will need a short detection section just before the yard ladder. A departing train will then trigger and set its own exit route as soon as the engine enters the detection section. To enter the yard however, the routes must still be selected manually with the push buttons.

Adding a computer to do the Logic.

Automated yard entrance routes are much more complex and require additional sensors and preferably a computer to automatically look for occupancy of all tracks and then set the route to a vacant track. To take it another step, transponding could help to set the EXACT track for a particular train. This becomes very handy if your layout is set up for operating sessions and your paperwork demands that the train start and end in a predefined staging track. Furthermore, the track might be enhanced with working signals that require all kind of sensor feedback so that the computer can accurately set routes and signals with reference to all applicable restrictions. This is a huge job requiring a lot of logic which is best handled by a computer. There are many software packages available from other vendors and their documentation will help you setting it up.

To make use of these advanced capabilities, you will find more details in the required components manuals like the BDL168 or the SE8c as well as in the application notes section on this web-site as well as links to some of the compatible software vendors.

Cascading Routes Example:

A cascading route is where the last command of a route triggers the next route. This is also known to some as a nesting route. With the capacity of 8 turnouts per route, it becomes necessary to cascade routes if more than 8 turnouts are involved in a route.

To highlight these possibilities, we use a very complex scenario with many turnouts and possible routes.

Cascading routes allows the setup of long routes without the need for a computer. Since some routes exceed the capacity of 8 turnouts, the remaining turnouts of the long routes are setup in the second DS64 or third DS64. “Cascading Routes” are only possible from a route in one DS64 to a route in another DS64. Not on the same DS64.

This example uses 4 DS64’s that control a total of 16 turnouts with 9 route buttons. The routes can also be triggered by a throttle switch command or with a computer. The sensor inputs of the first DS64 and the first sensor input of the second DS64 are used for the route push-buttons for panel route control. DS64 #3 and 4 are used only for turnout setting. The board addresses are set to 1 to 4 while the switch addresses are programmed in sequence from 1 to 16. We will generate one route for each track. Route 4,5,6 and 7 will demonstrate the effect of cascading routes where the last turnout command in the route is also the top address of the cascading route.

Route Table Worksheet for Programming DS64 #1

Route Group	Turnout 1 Top Address	Turnout 2	Turnout 3	Turnout 4	Turnout 5	Turnout 6	Turnout 7	Turnout 8
R1	1c	8c	2t	3c	15t	16c	16c
R2	2c	8c	1t	3c	14t	15c	16c	2t
R3	3c	8c	2c	13c	14c	15c	16c	16c
R4	4c	8c	3t	4t	400c	400c
R5	5c	8c	3t	4c	5t	500c	500c
R6	6c	8c	3t	4c	5c	6t	10t	600c
R7	7c	8c	3t	4c	5c	6c	9t