ATS stations are very nice, but half the straight track too short for 3-car trains. Visually, they are ideal for single- or 2-car trains. What I don’t like are the enclosed switches with a mandatory direction (the only ones I know of in the Plarail system), because they somehow don’t connect perfectly with the (slightly elevated) main platform and the track at the other end; passing trains often bounce a little at the station or at the connection with other track. Otherwise, I don’t like similar (normal) switches with too sharp angles (R-22 Y-Shaped Wide Point Rail); they look ugly to me (I prefer R-15 Double-tracked Wide Point Rail). Anyway, I think it’s better to use the station with the ordinary tracks and not with the enclosed switches.
As far as I understand, there are 4 modes of operation of these stations:
- Trains in both directions pass freely.
- Trains in both directions are permanently stopped.
- The train that arrives at the station stops, and the train that is standing at the station moves in the direction from which the first train came.
- The train arriving at the station does not stop, but continues in its direction of movement and at the same time triggers the train standing at the station to move in the direction from which the first train came.
It would be ideal if there was another function: whichever train arrives at the station first, is waiting for the train from the opposite direction, and then continue its journey in the direction from which the first train arrived. This would avoid arranging the layout in such a way that the train that triggers the departure of the train waiting at the station must always arrive at the station after that train.
In my video above, the fourth mode of operation with two stations and three trains is presented, in a relatively compact layout. I came up with this myself, but for a larger layout, and especially for fitting these stations into a large existing layout, I should think carefully. I would definitely look for inspiration on Youtube, at least for the basic idea. So far I have no idea how to fit these stations into my big layout, except in mode 1.
If we exclude the first two modes that can be achieved anyway with “ordinary” stations, the 3rd and 4th modes remain interesting for the use of these specific stations. Of course, there are numerous layout options, depending on how many ATS stations you have. Many, to be interesting, require a lot of additional elements, automatic switches, multi-level tracks, etc. And quite a lot of space. Some of my Youtube favorites:
I think it’s quite difficult to achieve a beautiful, meaningful and functional layout with these stations; a layout that not only represents a simple technique that works great and fascinates with the author’s ingenuity, but also functions well as a real small meaningful railway, with scenographic elements, etc. As I see on Youtube, the most fascinating are the complex layouts that force the basic function of these ATS stations (the fascinating movement of multiple trains, without them colliding or catching up), and it is rare to see a complex system with these stations that is well integrated into a complete and appealing overall layout.
