5
• Route Indicator Signals
Sensor Signals are also available with ‘Feather’ and ‘Theatre’ type route indicators which can be
switched on and off using either DCC or a Mimic Switch as shown later.
Route indicators advise the train driver which route or platform etc they are going and are often
dictated by how points are set.
Theatre Indicator - creating your own character
The Theatre route indicator on your signal can be set to display almost any
single character or symbol of your choice; If you lift the Theatre hood you will
see that there is a square of 25 (5 x 5) small holes which are lit from behind
using a miniature LED built into the signal. Carefully mask the holes you do not
want to light from behind using narrow strips of black insulating tape or BluTack,
Black Tack etc and then replace the hood. When the route is activated light will
shine through the unmasked holes and display your character.
You could use a pencil on the blank templates below to decide on which holes
you need to block to create your own character or symbol.
This is called a ‘dot matrix display’ and is how many theatre and other signs and displays are
created on the real railway.
DCC Control of a Signal Route Indicator
Feather or Theatre route indicators can either be on or off and are all controlled in the same way,
much like the main signal control. If you are controlling your points using DCC you can give the
route the same address so that it lights automatically when the point(s) are set to the selected
route. To set the route address, set your chosen accessory address on your controller and then
touch the Learn contacts together
twice
until the feather or theatre flashes. Then send a
▹
/
"
Direction or 1 / 2 command from your controller to set the address for your route indicator to be
on. (NB: if you want the route to synchronise to a point operation, ensure the same command
used also sets the point to that route).
More information on the DCC control page 6.
Note that the signal automatically turns off a route indicator if the signal is at Red.
