ProTrak^[TM]  
(for MS XP, ME, 2000, W98,Win95, NT4.0)

Signaling and The Grapevine^[TM]

• Simple electronics: plug and click connections, pre-assembled boards
• Complete! Software includes the knowledge you want for prototype signaling!
• Affordable! Lowest cost system available
• Fast to install! Have your signals working over the weekend.

• Complete "plug and click" hardware, called The Grapevine^[TM]
  • The Grapevine microprocessor-based network
  • Signal and switch motor driver board
  • Detectors: The "ASD" DCC optimized detector 
• Complete signaling in software, ProTrak, optimized for the model railroad environment.

The Grapevine

• Use up-to-date technology: The Grapevine is a microprocessor based network.
• Can't be "orphaned", the format and protocols are published.
• The Grapevine is modular.
  • Use your existing detectors, or your favorite detectors
  • Use your favorite signals, or those signals with their driver boards
• Incremental. If you want, install your system in steps.
• All sizes of systems: start small with one node which can drive 96 leds or 32 switchmotors
• Each Node can have up to 24 track occupancy detectors and 16 "parallel/analog" detectors
• "Advanced Serial Detectors"; using microprocessor technology
  • detect motion
  • sensitivity adjust in software
• Use with the largest signaling system - up to 126 nodes per serial-port
  • Up to 5100 signal heads on one Grapevine. Need more? (Wow!) Add another Grapevine circuit.
• Control other devices
  • Digital Fastclocks
  • Working Weighscales
  • "Hotbox" detectors
  • Crossing signals
  • Car ID
  • Ticket Register

• The signal logic is all in software, not miles and miles of complicated wiring.
• Use ABS (Automatic Block System), APB (Absolute Permissive Block), even "overlap"
• 2-block, 3-block, or 4-block signaling. Experiment, with a mouse click, to see what works best on your railroad
• Supports all signal types:
  • Searchlight 
  • Position light
  • Color position light (CPL)
  • 3-color 
  • Semaphore (using Grapevine semaphore driver board)
• Supports 2-lead and 3-lead led signals, and reverse-wired leds (common anode and common cathode)
• Use your prototype's aspects, or develop your own. Completely user configurable
  • can display all 7 aspects (green, red, yellow, flashing green, flashing red, flashing yellow, dark)
• Approach lighting

• Clinic: Setting Up Signaling in ProTrak.  Shows how simple it is.  All the options to customize signaling for your railroad

• Integrated with your ProTrak operations software:
  • signal system can report train movements - no visible keyboard/monitor

Compare The Grapevine to other products

Prices based on data obtained from websites on: November 13th, 2002.

Grapevine Device	Price/unit	CTI device	Price/unit
Microprocessor Node, 48-out, 16-in	1.40	Control module: 4-in, 4 out	9.99
Signal Driver, LED signal head	2.83	Signalman, LED signal head	8.74
Detector, current sensing	12.00	not available	-
Switchmotor Driver	5.66	not available	-

 

Device	Price	Units/board	Price/unit
Grapevine Detector, DCC	95.95	8	12.00
W.S. Ataras Detector, BD16HC	300.00	16	18.75

Device	Price	Units/board	Price/unit
Grapevine Signal Driver	67.95	24	5.66
W.S. Ataras Signal Driver, TC4	70.00	4	17.50
Logic Rail SignalMaster (Leds)	64.95	8	8.12

Note: The Grapevine current sensing detector is DCC ready and is rated at 7.5 amps continuous. This allows for multiple unit lashups without fear of frying your detectors.

Detector ratings versus number of units in a lashup

Number of units	Current/unit at stall	Current at stall	Current/unit at full power	Current at full power
1, single unit	1.25	1.25	0.80	0.80
2 units in consist	1.25	2.5	0.80	1.6
3 units in consist	1.25	3.75	0.80	2.4
5, 3 units in consist + 2 helpers	1.25	6.0	0.80	4.0

Note: 3-amp rated detectors are safe for only 2-unit consists. For DCC operation you need detectors rated at 6 amps, or, if you use helpers you need detectors rated at 7.5 amp. Be SAFE!