AHHHH! Block wiring!

[Anonymous]

Well Elliot, I am still a floor runner. Im just looking for this info for future use for when I get another locomotive. I'll just have to find those books they suggested. I learn better when I see clear, detailed diagrams. Even better would be to be taught by someone right in front of me. [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hi Jerry, what does your layout look like? Can you describe it or email me a plan? I can send you a wiring diagram if you want. By the way, 3 rail track is much easier than 2 rail, lots less to worry about.[swg]

This is why I chose the "R" with 2 throttles for you.[;)][:)]

[lionelsoni]

Connect all the outside rails together, by leaving the metal track pins in place. Divide the center rail into blocks by putting a plastic insulating pin in the center rail at the boundary between each pair of blocks.

Get two transformers. Find the two terminals of each transformer that you would connect to the track to control a train. Call these #1 and #2 on the first transformer and #3 and #4 on the second. Wire #1 and #3 together and then to the outside rails. (Or, if you have one transformer with two controls, it already has a common terminal equivalent to #1 and #3 wired together inside that you can wire to the outside rails.)

Get a "single-pole-double-throw-center-off" electrical toggle switch for each block. Mount the switches on a panel, on a diagram of the layout, one in the middle of each block.

Each switch will have three terminals. Wire the middle terminal of each switch to the center rail of the block that it is to control. Wire one of the other terminals of each switch to transformer terminal #2. Wire the other switch terminal to transformer terminal #4.

To run the trains, you switch the block that one train is in to one transformer and the block that the other train is in to the other transformer. As the train moves around the layout, switch the blocks ahead of the train so that the same transformer keeps on controlling the same train. If you want to leave something (like another locomotive) somewhere on the layout with the power off while you run the trains elsewhere, put the switch for that block in the center (off) position.

[spankybird]

Hi Jerry,

I have to ask how do you want to control your block? Are you looking for relays that sense when the trains are there, or are you planning on manually throwing toggle switches??

I also have to ask, does your high school offer a course in electronics? I know you would have to wait until next year, but it would really help.


tom

[Anonymous]

Go back to the library and look for Peter Riddle's books "Wiring your Lionel Layout", volumes 1 and 2. These have black and yellow covers respectively and they are considered the "bibles" of toy train wiring.

Basically you isolate the middle rails using plastic or fiber pins. All power supplies must be in phase (this is explained in the books) and the return/outer rail wiring is tied together. The feeds to/from the center rails are connected to multiple throw switches which allow for control of any block to be handled by any of the transformer outputs you have assigned to that block.

[nblum]

Suggest you go to your local three rail hobby shop or Amazon.com and look for books on wiring by Peter Riddle. For about $15-20 you'll find all you need to know. Or you could dispense with block wiring entirely, and use the TMCC command control system. No blocks needed. Instead of making an insulated track, I'd buy one if you're using Lionel type tinplate track. I think they cost about $4.00 or less.

[Anonymous]

I can't figure it out. How do you do it? Got a book at the library for wiring, and it was a two-rail one! Just give me a diagram...or something... to give me some help on this.[:D] How do you do it with (home-made) insulated track? I know it has to do with changing the power to each block, but how do it??[%-)]