The BD16 Block Occupancy Detector is a state of the art train detection system which has the following features:
Detects trains in up to 16 separate blocks, up to 3 amps/block
Provides OCCUPIED and VACANT outputs for each block
Works with DC or Command Control
Detects by monitoring current to each block
Directly operates LED's using the power supply included
Can also operate bulbs, relays to output logic signals to other circuitry
Outputs can switch 200 milliamps at up to 16 volts DC
Furnished completely assembled, with power supply and mounting hardware
Built in self-test functions to assist in installation and trouble shooting
Download manual at no cost from our website.

The BD16HC Block Occupancy Detector, high current, has all of the features as the BD16, except that the current per block is 6 amps.

The BD8 Block Occupancy Detector is a state of the art train detection system which has the following features:
Detects trains in up to 8 separate blocks, up to 3 amps/block
Provides OCCUPIED and VACANT outputs for each block
Works with DC or Digital Command Control
Detects by monitoring current to each block
Directly operates LED's from 5 VDC using the on-board voltage regulator
Can also operate bulbs, relays to output logic signals to other circuitry
Outputs can switch 200 milliamps at up to 16 volts DC
Furnished completely assembled, with mounting hardware
Built in self-test functions to assist in installation and trouble shooting
Download manual at no cost from our website.
Requires a 12 VDC regulated power supply that can be shared by numerous other circuit boards.

Our Master Signal Controller (MSC) is the latest in the series of state of the art signaling products for model railroads. It is THE ANSWER for someone who wants fully functioning, prototypical trackside signaling on their layout.
The MSC has programmed within it 18 different layout track configurations, and will generate typical prototype signal aspects for each of them.

Uses our BD8, BD16 or BD16HC to provide train detection
Controls four to six signal heads, depending on the track scene configured using on-board push-on jumpers
Prototypical three aspect displays using Automatic Block Signaling (ABS) or Absolute-Permissive Block Signaling (APB) for up to four blocks signaled for one or two directions of travel
Built-in CTC signal control
Directly operates LED's using the on-board voltage regulator
Can also operate bulbs, relays, or output logic signals to other circuitry
Furnished completely assembled with mounting hardware
50+ page manual with tutorial and complete installation instructions can be downloaded free from our web site or purchased separately
Requires a 12 VDC regulated power supply that can be shared by numerous other circuit boards.


Click here for the full description of the Master Signal Controller

The Grade Crossing Controller is a module which completely controls a highway grade crossing protection equipment. It provides the following features:
Detects trains in the track sections approaching the grade crossing, and the section of track across the road itself
Starts flasher outputs, activates gate lower outputs, and starts the bell sound audio output when the train enters an approach block
Activates the gate raise signal as the train crosses the road. Stops the bell sound and the flasher outputs when the gates are raised
Can be used with or without operating crossing gates
Combines the internal train detection with external train detection to include the grade crossing blocks in a larger block for trackside signaling purposes
Expandable to a total of 8 tracks crossing the road
Manual raised and lower inputs to allow the crew to operate the gates when the train is stopped
Accessory available to display the speed of a train as it passes the road

The Grade Crossing Controller (GCC) is the latest in the series of state of the art signaling products for model railroads. It is THE ANSWER for someone who wants a fully functioning, prototypical grade crossing scene on their layout.

First, the GCC detects trains in the Grade Crossing Scene by monitoring track current. There are a total of three blocks detected, an east approach, a west approach, and an 88 scale foot block across the road. The built in train detection will work with DC, DCC, AC and other forms of command control. Because it works just like a prototype controller, I recommend that all of your rolling stock be detectable. You can do this by adding a detectable wheel set to each car (also available from the Signaling Solution). Cars that already draw current, such as lit passenger cars or cabooses, don't need this. Without full detection, you will probably see the gates raise while the middle, undetected portion of the train is across the road!

Along with the detection, the board has an audio output of a crossing bell, output drivers for flashing crossbucks, and motor drive outputs for a motor which raises and lowers crossing gates. The bell is a wave table synthesis of an actual grade crossing bell, which operates at a rate of just over 4 bongs per second. The crossbucks flash at the standard prototype rate of 40 per minute. Just add the speaker of your choice and crossbucks or crossing gates for your scale, and you're ready to go.

When a train enters the scene, from either side, the crossing action begins. First, the bell begins and the crossbucks start flashing. After a warning delay of 2 seconds, the motor drive is activated to lower the gates. Using Tomar HO gates, also available from the Signaling Solution, eight more seconds are required for the gates to lower after the train arrives.

As soon as the rear end of the train crosses the road, the motor drive is activated to raise the gates. This takes about 8 seconds, and then the bell and crossbucks stop as well.

I recommend that your approach blocks be about 10-12 seconds long for the fastest train you run through. In this way, the gates will be down a couple of seconds before the train reaches the road.

The board can be configured for four different types of action. First, if you don't have gates, the time delays required for gate operation can be eliminated. This mode would be used for a crossing with only crossbucks and a bell. The remaining modes are used with crossbucks, bell and gates. The second mode has the bell ring only as a warning while the gates are coming down. The bell then stops ringing. The third mode has the bell ring until the front of the train reaches the road. The fourth mode has the bell ring during the entire action.

There is a volume control on the board, so you can adjust the bell to a comfortable level. Modes 2 and 3 above allow you to limit the time the bell is ringing, if that would be more appropriate for your operating sessions.

You may have your grade crossing positioned so that trains making a station stop will be able to stop clear of the road and raise the gates. Just connect "raise" and "lower" pushbuttons to the GCC board, and you can do that as well.

You may also have a signaling system installed, now or later. In this case, the signaling block boundaries will probably have no convenient relationship to the GCC detection boundaries. So, we have built in circuitry which will allow you to combine the GCC with signaling blocks in 5 different configurations, based on where the signaling block boundaries are located. Simply take the "occupied" outputs from your signaling train detectors and connect them to the GCC. The GCC will then combine its own detection with the signaling detectors and provide "occupied" and "vacant" (red and green) outputs for either 1 or 2 signaling blocks.

Our GCX Grade Crossing Expander allows you to operate crossings with up to 8 tracks. Your GCC handles the first track and controls all the action; for each additional track just add a GCX. The expander boards handle train detection on the additional tracks and send messages to the GCC to operate the gates, flashing crossbucks and bell.

As an additional accessory, we will be releasing a "Train Speed Readout" module. While not mentioned above, the GCC and GCX modules measure the speed of the train as it crosses the road. That's why the road block is 88 scale feet. The GCC puts sends the speed of the most recent train to the TSR. You can mount it on your fascia or control panel, and it will show a two digit train speed from 0 to 99 scale miles per hour.

The board completely assembled and tested, satisfaction guaranteed, with mounting hardware.

I hope you feel that all of this is worth the investment.

Happy railroading.

The Grade Crossing Expander is used to add additional tracks to the grade crossing. Up to seven GCX modules can be added to a single GCC to have the gates and flashers operate properly for a grade crossing with up to 8 tracks.

The TSI Train Speed Indicator is an accessory which can be added to a GCC to give a digital display of train speed as a train passes through the crossing. Its features
Works with any scale
Display 0-99 scale miles per hour
Remote display can be located on a control panel or the fascia panel near the grade crossing
If multiple trains arrive at the crossing, the first one detected will have its speed measured

Detectable Wheel sets are added to rolling stock or dummy engines to provide a detectable current for any of our Block Occupancy Detector boards. Packaged in quantities of four resistor equipped wheel sets, simply substitute one of these wheel sets for one of the existing wheel sets in your equipment to make the item detectable. We use high quality, non-magnetic wheel sets manufactured by NWSL and convert them to provide detection.