I am trying to conform the Beer Line to 4x8 standards, and an appalachain mountain theme. Using MRC Corp's dual control power system, I can run 2 trains at once. I am wondering, if I connect all my track, will I be able to run 2 trains at once?
Not to my way of understanding. If your rail is all "connected", and comprises a monolithic DC track, any power supply with voltage regulation will make both engines move in the same direction, but you can do that with a single unit powering the track and a single voltage regulator.
I think what you are asking is, "Can I play with two trains independently using this MRE power system on a DC layout with all the track connected?" I would say not at all. With all the track connected, the voltage can only be in one orientation at a time, and one voltage at a time...unless you hook up both sides of what I think must be a dual throttle (?) to the same tracks....and I don't even want to think about what that would mean 'cuz I have no idea, and don't think I want to know. I believe your throttle, specifically, is meant to power two trains that are each on their own stretch (including a loop) of powered track...that is, the tracks are electrically isolated from each other. That way, you can use the one side throttle to make train A move in reverse around its particular section of track, and at the same time get train B, on its own seperate track, to do something else. Once you connect the two stretches of track electrically, I would expect a problem, but do not know enough to say what it would be...where's Randy?
With DC, the motors respond to the track voltage and orientation, or polarity...all motors getting power from the same joined, or interconnected, rails. They'll also all move in the same direction. Even if you have two diesels and face one one way and the other the other way, when you power it up, they'll both move off in the same direction. It is only with DCC, or if you have segregated track and use the other throttle on your set to power the segregated track, that you can make engines move independently of each other's power supply.
I hope that doesn't just confuse you.
-Crandell
trainlover38 I am trying to conform the Beer Line to 4x8 standards, and an appalachain mountain theme. Using MRC Corp's dual control power system, I can run 2 trains at once. I am wondering, if I connect all my track, will I be able to run 2 trains at once?
Using a two-throttle pack, two independent power packs or even an array of batteries, you can only control two trains separately if each train is running on tracks that are completely isolated from the tracks powered by the other train's throttle.
If you connect both MRC outputs to a single track, you cannot control two locomotives separately - and you stand a good chance of damaging the pack and the locomotives. (Worst-case scenario - 24V across the rails. Either your loco will set a new land speed record or, more likely, fry the motor windings.)
To control two locomotives you must either give each one its own, completely isolated domain (circle of track and sidings) or break your railroad down into blocks and provide cab selector switches. Rather than describe the circuitry, I refer you to Linn Westcott's book, How To Wire Your Model Railroad. A simpler alternative, though a bit more expensive, is to go straight to DCC.
I, personally, use analog DC, including several single-throttle MRC packs of various ages. The system, MZL, is user friendly, at the expense of some wiring complexity that took four full articles to describe in Model Railroader back in 1974. I really don't think you want to go there.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)