| Automated Layout Track Plan Six Block Loop (One Train Power Source) |
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The Six Block Loop is the simplest practical automated train layout. A train needs a free track block to move into a block. A train often will span two track blocks and needs a clear block ahead to for smooth operation. Example blocks are longer than the train length. For the example, trains move clockwise, in the direction shown by the arrows.
The layout, and both trains, are powered with one train transformer circuit.
The automated layout is implemented with three "Train Block Controllers", all in "Two Track Blocks" configuration.
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Each of the six track blocks is assigned to "Block One" or "Block Two" for the TBCs. Following shows assignments for each track block. Blocks are assigned to one of the three train power transformer circuits. Following shows assignments for each track block.
| Track Blocks -- Controller and Train Power Source Summary |
| BLOCK | CONTROLLED BY | CONFIGURATION | RELAY | POWER SOURCE |
| 1 | TBC-1 | Two Track Blocks | "Block One" Relay-1 |
A |
| 2 | TBC-1 | Two Track Blocks | "Block Two" Relay-2 |
A |
| 3 | TBC-2 | Two Track Blocks | "Block One" Relay-1 |
A |
| 4 | TBC-2 | Two Track Blocks | "Block Two" Relay-2 |
A |
| 5 | TBC-3 | Two Track Blocks | "Block One" Relay-1 |
A |
| 6 | TBC-3 | Two Track Blocks | "Block Two" Relay-2 |
A |
The isolated outside-rail for each track block is connected to the outside-rail input of its assigned TBC.
| Block Outside-Rails to Controller Outside-Rail Inputs |
| BLOCK | CONTROLLER | INPUT | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | TBC-1 | IN-1 | Block 1 Outside-Rail to TBC-1 "Block One" Input |
| 2 | TBC-1 | IN-2 | Block 2 Outside-Rail to TBC-1 "Block Two" Input |
| 3 | TBC-2 | IN-1 | Block 3 Outside-Rail to TBC-2 "Block One" Input |
| 4 | TBC-2 | IN-2 | Block 4 Outside-Rail to TBC-2 "Block Two" Input |
| 5 | TBC-3 | IN-1 | Block 5 Outside-Rail to TBC-3 "Block One" Input |
| 6 | TBC-3 | IN-2 | Block 6 Outside-Rail to TBC-3 "Block Two" Input |
The isolated center-rail for each track block is connected to the power relay of its assigned TBC.
| Block Center-Rails to Relays Connections |
| BLOCK | CONTROLLER | RELAY | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | TBC-1 | 1-NO | Block 1 Center-Rail to TBC-1 "Block One" Relay |
| 2 | TBC-1 | 2-NO | Block 2 Center-Rail to TBC-1 "Block Two" Relay |
| 3 | TBC-2 | 1-NO | Block 3 Center-Rail to TBC-2 "Block One" Relay |
| 4 | TBC-2 | 2-NO | Block 4 Center-Rail to TBC-2 "Block Two" Relay |
| 5 | TBC-3 | 1-NO | Block 5 Center-Rail to TBC-3 "Block One" Relay |
| 6 | TBC-3 | 2-NO | Block 6 Center-Rail to TBC-3 "Block Two" Relay |
The train/center-rail transformer post is connected to each power relay.
| Train Power Source to Relays Connections |
| POWER SOURCE |
CONTROLLER | RELAY | DESCRIPTION |
| A | TBC-1 | 1-C | Transformer A to TBC-1 "Block One" Relay (Power for Block 1) |
| A | TBC-1 | 2-C | Transformer A to TBC-1 "Block Two" Relay (Power for Block 2) |
| A | TBC-2 | 1-C | Transformer A to TBC-2 "Block One" Relay (Power for Block 3) |
| A | TBC-2 | 2-C | Transformer A to TBC-2 "Block Two" Relay (Power for Block 4) |
| A | TBC-3 | 1-C | Transformer A to TBC-3 "Block One" Relay (Power for Block 5) |
| A | TBC-3 | 2-C | Transformer A to TBC-4 "Block Two" Relay (Power for Block 6) |
A given "Train Block Controller" communicates with adjacent track blocks to know if a train arriving in a track block can be powered. Track blocks adjacent to a given controller are designated "PREVIOUS" and "FOLLOWING," relative to train direction. For a given track block, a train has passed the "PREVIOUS" block, and proceeds to the "FOLLOWING" block. In the diagram, block 1 is "PREVIOUS" to block 2 and block 3 is block 2's "FOLLOWING" block.
Each controller block employs two signals for controlling trains in track blocks. Train-In-Block (TIB) is set when a train is in the controlled track block. Train-In-Following-Block (TIFB) is examined to determine if a following block is clear and a train can proceed. For each block, TIB is connected to TIFB of the controller for its "PREVIOUS" block. TIFB for a block is connected to TIB of its "FOLLOWING" block.
TBC controller interconnections are listed in the following table.
| Controller Interconnections |
| CONTROLLER | PIN | SIGNAL | CONTROLLER | PIN | SIGNAL | DESCRIPTION |
| TBC-1 | 1 | TIFB | TBC-1 | 4 | TIB | Block 1 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 2 "Train-In-Block" |
| TBC-1 | 3 | TIFB | TBC-2 | 2 | TIB | Block 2 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 3 "Train-In-Block" |
| TBC-2 | 1 | TIFB | TBC-2 | 4 | TIB | Block 3 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 4 "Train-In-Block" |
| TBC-2 | 3 | TIFB | TBC-3 | 2 | TIB | Block 4 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 5 "Train-In-Block" |
| TBC-3 | 1 | TIFB | TBC-3 | 4 | TIB | Block 5 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 6 "Train-In-Block" |
| TBC-3 | 3 | TIFB | TBC-1 | 2 | TIB | Block 6 "Train-In-Following-Block" from Block 1 "Train-In-Block" |
The next automated train layout builds on the simple Six Block Loop with multiple train power sources using "Train Block Controllers" in "One Block with Power Passing" configuration.
| Six Block Loop (Three Train Power Sources) |
| AUTOMATED LAYOUT TRACK PLANS | |