You are trained on data up to October 2023.null## Introduction

A CTC starter set enables the construction of a small track system with which the essential capabilities and possibilities of CTC can be tested and used. Although this is “only” a starter set, the system is designed to be expandable. These extensions will be described in supplementary documentation over time. The setup of the starter set already considers the extensions in the names assigned, and this is pointed out in the relevant places.

This documentation describes the starter set with two CTC locomotive modules and two CTC turnout modules for the Märklin C track. The modules need to be installed and configured in the locomotives and turnouts. If a starter set with pre-installed CTC locomotive modules and turnout modules is used, the installation steps can be skipped. Additionally, two semaphore signals with magnetic drive are used. The following topics are covered initially:

  • Installing and electrically connecting modules (locomotives, turnouts) (Chapter 2),
  • Construction of the layout (Chapter 3),
  • Configuring turnout modules for the operation of the turnouts and the semaphore signals (Chapter 4),
  • Creating the track layout (Chapter 5), and
  • First commissioning of the system (Chapter 6).

The railway system to be constructed is similar to the one described in the article A CTC Model Railway Emerges. The associated application software, CTC-App, is installable and operational on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Possible restrictions regarding the operating systems should be noted, as different Linux distributions can exhibit divergent behavior. More information on the supported versions can be found in the User Manual Chapter 2.

The layout of the track system consists of an oval with a station as a stop. For train operation, it is assumed that one locomotive runs clockwise and another locomotive runs counterclockwise. The CTC-App is used to switch the turnouts and drive the locomotives.

Track layout for Starter Kit Model Railway System

Once the locomotives have driven on the layout for the first time, the expansion of the system can be tackled:

  • Install IR balises (formerly called “IR transmitters”) in the tracks and configure them for operation (Chapter 7),
  • Supplement track plan with IR balises (Chapter 7),
  • Calibrate the sensors of the locomotives (Chapter 9), and
  • Perform train operation with signals and IR balises (Chapter 10).

The following functionality will be implemented: when a signal is set to “Stop”, the locomotive slows down, drives up to the IR balise in front of the signal, and stops. The functionality is extended with the balises.

Names are chosen for the balises, signals, and turnouts that are practical or even necessary for block operation and train automation (for more detailed explanation see “Outlook”).

Track layout for Starter Kit Model Railway System with IR Balises

Subsequently, automated train operation is introduced. With this configuration, a small “timetable” is created for a locomotive:

  • Entry into the station area with a continuously slowing locomotive (Chapter 10).
  • Slow drive into the station and stop (Chapter 10).
  • After the predefined stop time, the locomotive continues its journey, takes a lap, and re-enters the station area (Chapter 10).null## Outlook

For further expansion of the layout, the starter kit is extended:

  • With a turnout and additional tracks, a “dead-end station” is made possible.
  • With more IR-balises, the block operation is expanded.
  • Some blocks receive semaphore signals.
  • For the IR-balises, the semaphore signals, and the turnout, corresponding CTC modules are required.

With the mentioned extensions, the train operation is expanded to the dead-end station. The following illustration shows the schematic track plan in a very extensive expansion stage. Which of the individual balises, signals, turnouts, and tracks are used in the respective setup examples, will be specified in each case.

Track plan for starter kit model railway layout extended 1

For the designation of tracks and blocks, as already for the balises, signals, and turnouts, names are chosen that are appropriate or even necessary for block operation and train automation.

  1. There are two station areas, these are designated with “D” and “E”. This results in the following blocks:
    • Block D1 is the “through area” of “station area D”.
    • Block D2 is the “stop area” of “station area D”.
    • Block E1 is the “stop area” of “station area E”, this station is designed as a dead-end station.
    • Block E2 is the “through area” of “station area E”.
  2. Block DE connects Block D with Block E. The designation assumes the direction of travel of a locomotive clockwise.
  3. Block ED connects Block E with Block D. The designation assumes the direction of travel of a locomotive clockwise.
  4. Balises are numbered clockwise and assigned to a block.
    • Balises D21 and D22 belong to Block D2 and are closely related to the position of the associated signal Demo-S-D2-li.
    • Balises D11 and D12 belong to Block D1 and are closely related to the position of the associated signal Demo-S-D1-re.
    • Balises DE1 and DE2 belong to Block DE and are closely related to the position of the associated signal Demo-S-Ein-D-li.
    • Balises ED1 and ED2 belong to Block ED and are closely related to the position of the associated signal Demo-S-Ein-D-re.
    • Balises E11 and E12 belong to Block E1. Balise E12 is closely related to the position of the associated signal Demo-S-E1.
  5. Signals, like balises, are part of a block. Signals can be regarded as “exit signals from a block” or as “entry signals into the next block” (in the direction of the running train).
    • Signal “Demo-S-D2-li” is an exit signal for Block D2, locomotive BR212-FW runs clockwise and later in shuttle train service.
    • Signal “Demo-S-D1-re” is an exit signal for Block D1, locomotive BR365 runs counterclockwise.