Page 14 Track section module MX9
“SYSTEM-AUTONOMOUS BLOCK CONTROL” –
Defining an “unidentified line”
The term “unidentified” indicates that the lines defined as such are not stored with a corresponding
address. They can therefore not be called up, activated or deactivated. They are always active as
long as they are not cancelled by overwriting it with a new definition.
Any number of unidentified lines, with as many blocks per line as needed, are permissible but each
track section may only be part of one line. This means that, among other things, bidirectional lines
are not possible.
In contrast, “identified lines” are not restricted in any way and can be activated at will (see second
half of this chapter).
The drawing above illustrates a typical layout for a “cyclical block operation” (closed loop). Typically a
block is made up of one main section, whereas the two sub sections are the run and stop sections. A
block can also be made with 3 sub sections, where 2 sub sections belong to one main section and a
third sub section to another main section.
Each MX9 has to have its own exclusive address before the definition process is started (for address-procedures
see chapter 4).
The definition process consists of sample run that involves driving a locomotive along the entire
length of the line to be defined and by doing so the sequence and direction will be stored in the
command station. A desired speed step is assigned, using the cab, to every section that is momen-
tarily occupied by the loco: “F” for normal speed, “H” for a stop section and “L” or ”U” for slow down
sections. The loco can be stopped in each section to allow enough time for the operator to enter the
desired speed step.
Block 6
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
F
H F H F H
F
ull speed section
Direction
Block 5
Block 4
H
F H F H
Location of “definition loco” before start of the sample run this track section is not yet included in the definition
(
)
“
loco” moved to the first track section to be defined
Definition
“Definition loco” in the second section to be defined
The assigned speed steps are used in later operations as follows:
“F” = Full speed, as set by the cab, which may be different for each engine. This is a permanent setting.
“H” = Halt (stop), train will stop if the following block is occupied, otherwise speed “F” is valid
“L”, “U” = Low or Ultra low speed, train will slow down before entering the following stop section if the next block is
occupied. This section is also set to “F” (together with the stop section that follows) if the next block is unoccupied.
STEP BY STEP EXAMPLE OF THE DEFINITION PROCESS:
Before starting the loco, all track sections to be defined have to be unoccupied. The loco used for this
purpose is set on a track section before the first section to be defined. In case of a continuous loop
that will be the last section of the line to be defined but this will not interfere with the definition proc-
ess.
•
The track and the loco’s wheels have to be clean to ensure reliable power pick up.
Interrupted current flow due to bad contact may ruin the definition results.
•
In case that only one cab (MX2, MX21, MX31 etc.) is available, the loco used for defining the line
must be activated first. The loco will still obey the commands for speed, direction and the MAN key
after the MX9 address is being entered in the next step. Headlights and other functions are not ac-
cessible but that is however not relevant for the definition run.
•
The definition process can now be started by entering the fictitious address 999 and activate it with
the A key. Fictitious because 999 is not a valid MX9 address. This is the start signal for the system
that the definition process is about to begin, all track sections are now set to speed step H.
•
Now drive the loco from its starting point (press the MAN key if the loco won’t move) into the first
section and stop. All wheels of the loco have to be inside the section to be defined at the time any
inputs are made through the cab.
•
With the loco now sitting in the first section, the cab that showed the fictitious address 999 now
displays the MX9 address connected to that section. The display of this address is for your infor-
mation only. It is not really needed for the definition process.
The cab can now be used to define the speed limits for each section of the block. With the help of
the function keys (#1 key for main section 1, #2 key for main section 2 etc.) the speed limits can be
selected by cycling through the available limits. Only one key with its associated speed step indica-
tor LED representing the main section the loco is now sitting is active and illuminated. Alternating
with the MX9 address, the occupancy status of both sub sections is also shown. Instead of the let-
ter “b” for busy the actual speed step applied (F-L-U-H) is shown (additionally to the colored indica-
tion of the LED).
As a reminder: F (Full speed) = green; L (Low speed) = yellow; U (Ultra low speed) = orange; H
(Halt, stop) = red
For example: With the loco sitting in sub section A of the first main section of MX901, the display
would alternate between 901 and H_. H, because the speed of this section is set to H (Halt), the
LED above the F1 key is illuminated in red, also indicating speed step H. By repeatedly pressing
the appropriate function key the speed step for this sub section is now being defined. As you scroll
through all available speed steps (F-L-U-H), they will be indicated on the LCD and LED except
step A, which is not available here. The speed step that is indicated when the loco is driven out of
this section is automatically stored.
The first section is now defined.
•
The loco is now driven from section to section. In each section, stop the loco (which is done auto-
matically if the MAN key is not active) and enter the desired speed step for this section as ex-
plained above.
•
In sections where the speed is defined to F, L or U, the selected speed step will be applied after 2
seconds and the loco will start up automatically at the speed corresponding to this step (defined in
loco decoder CV #51 - #55), provided the speed regulator is not set to 0. In a sub section defined
to speed step H, the loco can only be driven out by activating the MAN key.
•
The entire definition is done for each sub section, that is, the speed step definition (F, L, U, and H)
is done independently and may very well be different for each sub section that belongs to the
same main section. During operation though, both sub sections that are part of a main section will
always be set to the same speed step. For example, a train is supposed to stop at the end of a
block, because the next block is occupied. When the loco enters the second sub section of a main
