Let's take another run at it. There is a loop of track with a continuous center rail all the way around. The outside rails are generally connected to each other and to the transformer common. There are two special blocks, which I call the stop block and the control block, separated by some regular track. The arriving train goes through the control block before it gets to the stop block. The stop block is where each train stops and is long enough to hold the locomotive plus a little distance for it to coast to a stop. The stop block has both outside rails isolated from the rest of the track for the length of the block. The control block has only one of its outside rails isolated from the rest of the track for the length of the block. The isolated rail of the control block is connected to both of the isolated rails of the stop block, so that any train in the control block will turn on the outside rails of the stop block and start any train parked there. There is enough regular (not isolated) track between the control block and the stop block so that the stopped train is completely clear of the control block. Otherwise it would start itself up.
Bob Nelson
I have one hexx of a time understanding from written words. I guess it's a brain thing, or lack of a brain thing! The control rail that will send common to the dead block will be seperate from everything else? Is that correct? and the rest of the track's outside rails are all connected? The Atlas track I don't believe connects their two outside rails in any manner. I actually haven't looked at that closely but I think the plastic ties seperate the two. Would you recommend tying them together as well if they are not already?
It will only make it easier, since all you have to do is isolate and then connect 3 rails together, one outside rail in the control block and both outside rails in the stop block. Keep all the other parts of the outside rails connected together and to your transformer common, just as they would be otherwise.
OK, I do remember that, but at the time I was using tubular track, now I'm using Atlas track and the two outside rails I don't believe are connected, will this make a difference? I also have a couple of Atlas switches on this loop. thanks Jake
Yes, but with one warning: Make sure that current cannot flow from one car to another through the couplers. Sooner or later it will flow through the knuckle springs and ruin them. Plastic couplers are of course okay. Metal couplers must be insulated, perhaps with a bit of tape snaked through around the knuckles.
The center rail should be continuous throughout the loop. The stop block should have its outside rails isolated (but not from each other). They should be connected to a single isolated control rail that the incoming train will bridge to start up the departing train.
I know I've asked this before, but what is the safe way to run two conventional trains on one loop? Seems like I did it before with a dead spot of track, and relied on the ground of the oncoming train to energize the track section to get the 2nd train moving. As long as I stay on one transformer is this safe? Jake
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