I am new to the hobby, so please excuse if the question is silly. I have set up my layout, 3 ovals connected by fastrack switches. When I power one of the tracks, they are all getting power. I have tried with the underside wire and without on the connecting track piece. Any idea what I am doing wrong? How should they be wired? I am using both Manual and remote switches. Thanks for any insight.
You need to buy a block section of track in between your switches which divide your loops. Lione makes the block sections that have a cut in the center rail and where you disconnect the terminals underneath.
If you don't want to pay for them, it's pretty easy to make your own block control sections. Take a section of Fastrack and cut the center rail. If you're careful, it'll look just as good as the commercial product. :)
The 1 3/8" pieces (6-12073) can be used to create blocks as well. Although you cannot see it in the photo, the center rail is broken just as the 5" block section. There is a jumper wire underneath in case you don't want to use it as a block.
Joe
The problem with these solutions is the tracks do not retain their intended spacingThe way you have is setup is actually the correct way. If you have each loop powered by different transformers, or different outputs on a ZW and you cross a train from one loop to another you could have serious problems on your hands.If you don't want to lose the spacing, and you want to power each loop independantly, then remove the jumper bars under the curved end of the switch and remove the pins from the curved end as well. The FastTrack roadbed is strong enough to keep everything in alignment. I do not recommend this as you could damage the track though. The better solution is to simply power the whole layout from one transformer output.
You can also remove the center pins on your FasTrack switches where the ovals connect. You will have to provide separate power to each of the loops to power them.
Earl
Brent,
Maybe I read the initial post incorrectly, but I thought he wanted to create blocks so each oval could run independently. If that is true, wouldn't he have to use blocks or do what you, gunrunnerjohn, and/or Earl suggested? I am somewhat new to this as well so I'm not sure how one transformer could independently run unblocked ovals, unless he is using command operated devices. I agree he will have to make adjustments if he uses any block sections, but since I did not know if he is limited by space or planning software I suggested it.
lionroar88 The way you have is setup is actually the correct way. If you have each loop powered by different transformers, or different outputs on a ZW and you cross a train from one loop to another you could have serious problems on your hands.
The way you have is setup is actually the correct way. If you have each loop powered by different transformers, or different outputs on a ZW and you cross a train from one loop to another you could have serious problems on your hands.
Joe,You did not read the initial post incorrectly, that is what he wants to do. The problem is you SHOULD NOT have independantly controlled loops connected to one another because when you cross from one loop to another you are changing the source and that can have catastrophic results, you can burn out the engine's electronics, fry the transformers, etc.If you change the loop you would want the engine to retain it's source - so you would need a rotary switch capable of changing to the number of transformers you have connected... in this case 3. So instead of the transformer being assigned to a 'track' it would be assigned to a 'train'. You would also need to 'block' the loops so that you could park a train to wait for the switch to clear, park the new train, then reactivate the first train to pass through the switch... each block would then need a rotary switch as well.Conventional operation is cool, but it requires a LOT of forethought and planning to make it work safely, especially when you get into operating interconnected loops powered by seperate transformers - and it doesn't matter if the transformers are in phase or not.
Glad I do TMCC/Legacy, that's too complicated for me.
Thanks for all the replies, got it all working, all the posts really helped.
gunrunner,
Conventional is complicated and it's what I operate b/c of when I started and never had the time and $$ to crossover. However, if I wanted to transition from conventional to TMCC/Legacy, will I have to get new engines or can I still operate my mpc/modern era conventional engines?
Thanks!
You will have difficulty operating them at the same time on the same tracks with TMCC/Legacy, but it's not like you can never run them. You can have separate power blocks and have some conventional and some TMCC, or run them at different times on the same tracks.
DID YOU EVER GET THIS FIXED - I have a problem getting my switches to work I have an 8x8 layout that I have not seen anywhere else
Boy, I hope so! It's been a year since the last post in the thread.
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