walt rapp posted:Like a very basic one: every scenario that my non-electrical brain can think of has part of the train on the insulated rail making the light red but AT THE SAME TIME the rest of the train is not. So isn't that a conflict? The relay would be told to be normally open and closed at the same time, right?
I appreciate all of the contributors, and as always, thanks - walt
You are exactly right. But here's the answer: Think about how the 153 block signal works with the relay. It's not a simple light on/light off event. The block signal glows, say, green -- train hits the insulated track section and energizes the coil in the relay -- and turns OFF the green light but turns ON the red light. So one circuit is closed and one is open. At the same time. Once the train clears the rail, back to green only.
Hope that didn't muddy the waters further.
