Thanks Henry and Ulrich.
Yes I am fully aware I can't run both DCC and DC at the same time. I mean to say that when I want to run DC locos, I will be swapping out the power and take all DCC locos off the layout. It is a small layout anyway so I probably wouldn't want to run more than one at a time anyway.
Thanks Ulrich, I forgot the power routing bit, about Kato.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As Henry stated, it is either - or! Either you operate your layout in DCC, or in DC, meaning taking all DCC locos off the track before you hook up your DC power pack. Kato Unitrack with its Unijoiner connectors does not need any soldering of the joiners. In fact, only one feed would be sufficient for the entire layout, given its small size. In any case, two or three feeders are moren than enough. Kato Unitrack switches are power routing, so you don´t need to isolate your yard tracks.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Here is your layout.
Some people think there is an advantage to having old fashioned blocks, in the yard area, so you can park a sound loco and turn off the power.
The other supposed advantage of power districts is that if there is a derailment and short in one part of the layout, trains can still be run in other portions of the layout. Your layout looks like a one man operation, so that isn't much of and advantage for you.
If it works in DCC, it will work in DC. Never try to or accidently operate them simultaneously
I'm not sufficiently familiar with Unitrack to comment on how many feeders you need. There is a rule of thumb of every 6' a feeder and a feeder or a soldered rail joiner to every rail. That may or may not be overkill for Unitrack.
Hello,
My wife and I are doing the Scenic Ridge layout in N scale with Kato unitrack. I'm doing a modified version of the layout to give a little more yard track and I'm looking for some recommendations for where to add in track feeds. I'm mainly going to be using DCC, but there may be some DC usage as well, so I'm curious what would be recommended in terms of power districts as well as feeds?
Here is the layout plan we are working off of.
Thanks in advance