I’m building a layout that has three loops. I have a new ZW Powerhouse transformer I will use to operate the layout. Although it is not three transformers it is capable of operating three trains separately.
Bill,
The best way I have seen to wire multiple throttles to a layout without using a complicate relay system is to use single pole double throw switches. The ATLAS 215 has worked well for me. Some people have told me that these switches were not desinged to handle the power load of Lionel and other O trains but I have had no problems over the last two years I have run my layout. These switches have a "A", "B" and OFF position.
As I understand it, you have three loops of track that are interconnected. Divide the biggest loop (I assume it is the outside loop) into three evenly sized blocks. Do the same for the middle or second loop. The smallest or inner loop should be a separate loop by itself. You now have 7 blocks on the layout. The ATLAS 215s are gang switches of 4 per set. You will need two sets for this layout. Now connect the left throttle of the ZW to the A position of the ATLAS 215 and the right throttle to the B position. I recommend using a common ground system for the ZW. Wire your number three throttle directly to the inner loop or "block 7". Now connect Blocks 1,2 and 3 (outer loop) to switches 1,2 and 3. Connect blocks 4,5 and 6 (inner loop) to switches 4,5 and 6. You have two switches left over if you want to add a siding spur or two later.
Now to operate all you have to do is put any block you want to control with the left throttle to the "A"position and any block you want to control with the right throttle to the "B" position. If you want to have any train not move set the block that it is in to the OFF position. Control the inner loop or "block 7" with the third throttle.
I've seen some people use simple ON/OFF switches on the blocks but I feel my method is more flexable in that you can assign any of the first 6 blocks to either throttle. You can do some really complicated switching maneuvers using this system. If you want to get into TMCC/Legacy later like I have, you can wire the command base to position "A" and set that throttle to 18 volts and still run your conventional locos on the "B" circut and the inner loop.
Well Bill, I hope my description was at least somewhat clear and I didn't confuse you. I'm not that good at describing things on paper. Hope it helps you get things rolling.
Good Luck STEVE
Steve's advice is good; but you need to control the inner loop with the same concept as the others. In your case, this means that you need, not SPDT switches, which select between two sources, but SP3T switches that select among three. Those will be hard to find; but you can fake it by using two simpler switches per block. Use a first SPDT switch with its common terminal connected to the center rail to select between transformer output A and the common terminal of a second SPDT switch. The second switch then selects between outputs B and C.
If you use one SPDT and one DPDT, you can select among four sources. Even if you don't intend to now, you might want to wire it up anyway in case you expand later. The SPDT then selects one of the two common terminals of the DPDT. Then the DPDT selects among A, B, C, and D transformer outputs.
Switches are very easy to find in a wide variety of sizes and handle types. If you use individual switches, you have the possibility of locating them right on a (probably stylized) map of your layout. You should look for switches rated at about 5 amperes minimum. Many will be overrated at much higher AC voltages than you will be using. But don't reject DC switches rated at only 12 volts. AC is much easier on a switch than DC; so these switches can easily withstand the slightly higher voltages that we use.
Bob Nelson
Good point Bob,
It would function a much easier that way but I was just trying to keep it as simple as possible. You could still do switching with the 3 throttle wired directly to block 7 by bringing out its train to the middle loop first. Shutting down that block (4,5or 6) then bring the middle loop train into block 7 and running it on throttle 3. I don't have that problem because my 3rd loop is elevated and separate from the other two blocks. I don't know if I've ever seen single pole triple throw switches but you could still get the same effect as you stated by double wiring SPDT switches. A good book to read for this system is Greenbergs "Railroading With Lionel Trains by Roland Lavoie" I think it is out of print but I've seen it on EBAY a few times.
I wasn't completely serious about the SP3T, at least as a toggle switch; but a 3-position rotary switch is pretty much the same thing; and, in fact, those running more than 2 trains often use them. One problem with a rotary switch, however, is that you might get into a situation where you want to switch an occupied block from one transformer output to another and inadvertently start up the train by passing through the position(s) assigned to other transformer(s). So it's good to have at least an SPST in series with the rotary switch. On the other hand, with toggle switches, at least one can be center-off to allow the other(s) to be switched without any danger.
It's an interesting puzzle to figure out a practical arrangement for larger numbers of transformers even if you don't plan to use them. (I'm happy with SPDT-CO myself.) My results up to 8 transformers for those who might want to play:
2 SPDT3 2 SPDTs4 SPDT + DPDT5 2 SPDTs + DPDT6 SPDT + 2 DPDTs7 SPDT + DPDT + 3PDT8 SPDT + 2 3PDTs
(3PDTs do exist!)
Thanks for the information on the wiring. I have also ordered the Lionel railroading layout book and the advanced version also. I found them both on Ebay. I also ordered the new version of Lionel Fastrack Layouts for information on the different layouts and track pieces.
I appreciate the help
Bill
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month