Locking up your layout - 3
turnouts, and are only unlocked when a train needs to spot
or pull cars from the spur. Railroads can also protect electri-
cal equipment, such as crossing flashers for rarely used grade
crossings. Crews will stop, unlock a control box, and activate
the flashers. Once the train is across the road, the crew will
turn off the flashers and relock the control box.
The Philosophy of Restriction
Working locks on a model railroad are not a common practice.
Many modelers seem to not understand their purpose, or are
hesitant in adding them to their layouts. Even the most active
operators remain reluctant to include them in their operating
scheme. When I asked several of my friends to give their feed-
back on adding equipment locks, the comments ranged from
4: Derails are placed on spurs to prevent runaway cars
from fouling the main. To access the spur, the derail
must first be unlocked and opened so trains can pass
over the track.
4
MRH-Dec 2013
