Layout Design Example

Use the TPL Layout Design Utility to create a representation of your layout and identify all your signals, switches and contact track sections. Additional features include the ability to:

• Include text labels, using any font, color and size. Bold, underline, and italics are supported too.
• Add your own designs for buildings, scenery, etc.
• Extend contact track sections to be as long as you like.

When you load your completed design into TPL at run time, you can click on individual signals and switches to change their position. The solenoids' pictures change accordingly -- signals change color, and switches change to show their new position.

In the example above, I've lengthened the contact section for detector #53. As soon as this detector is tripped, the entire section changes color. You can quickly see that a train is at the station. Once the detector track is no longer occupied, the section of track will return to it's original color.

You can tell TPL that you want it to automatically set all your solenoids to match your design when you load it. And, if you're running an automated sequence, you can watch the signals and switches change position as their commands get executed. You can just sit back and enjoy the show OR, if necessary, you can still take "manual" control by clicking on the desired solenoid. You always have complete control, even while the automated sequences are being run.

|| Return to the Home Page ||