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National Park Automated

The official National Park map fitted with automation-controlled signalling and semi-automated staging yards.

For error-free operation set your layout and object view distances to Infinite (Graphics wall menu), as automation tools do not work if they are outside the view distance.

Mainline automation

All signals and mainline turnouts on the layout proper are controlled by automation circuitry, which should deliver realistic signal behaviour and trouble-free AI movement in both directions.

You can drive a train manually - be sure to obey all signals - and you can manually operate the turnouts to shunt on the spare track at Raurimu.

Off-layout signals without a button or activator are AI signals.

Passenger train halting

Southbound traffic has access to the platform at National Park. Any southbound AI train headed by a loco with a "p" tag will observe the Stop sign for the platform. Northbound traffic cannot access the platform and will not stop.

Staging yards

Six-track staging yards are provided for both northbound and southbound traffic. Operating instructions are on the layout.

The grey zone indicates the maximum train length for smooth two-way operation. You can run super-long trains in one direction during two-way running, but be aware of possible issues if they obstruct turnouts at the yard entry.

Suggested methods of assembling very long trains:
1. Clear the train to exit the yard, move it forward and add wagons to its rear.
2. Stop the train on the off-layout straight section along the wall to the north and add wagons there.

Want to add any or all of this to your own layout?

Most of the automated tasks here - all the ones required for a "vanilla" installation - have been packaged into modules for easy duplication and simpler implementation. Modular design also means that, for example, the only difference between a 3-track staging yard and a 15-track one is the number of parts and connections involved.

To implement similar staging operations and/or single track protection you don't need to know how the modules do what they do, only what their role is and what information goes in and out. If you want to try implementing any of this yourself I'm happy to help provided you're willing to start simple and build from there (which is how this got made).