DCC has a fun learning curve. Learning about it requires taking a step back and asking some questions. One of them is do I have the correct resouces at my disposal? I suggest reading any Kalmbach or Atlas book on DCC and visiting this site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/
It’s a bit hard to make out on your track plan, but it appears that you have only 2” track-center-to-track-center spacing in the concentric end curves at 24”/26”. That may prove too tight and some equipment could sideswipe, especially if you wish to run models of full-length passenger cars and/or modern longer equipment.
The NMRA standards suggest at least 2½ for longer equipment in those curves for modern equipment and a little over 2¼” for models of smaller rolling stock.
Two ways to achieve greater spacing: change the radius, or bring the inner curves in toward the center a bit to achieve the necessary spacing. This will make them non-concentric, which may look odd to your eye, so your choice of how to achieve it.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
You won't have any polarity issues because DCC doesn't have polarity. What you have to watch for is phase mismatches, which often occur at the frog in a turnout. What brand/type do you plan to use, as that choice can have specific issues.
Your crossing shouldn't pose any issues. Just check how the crossing works electrically. This page has info on crossings. Also review the page on wiring.
You may need some additional feeders around the crossovers. Feeders should be every three feet along the track. How do you plan to run your power bus? Feeders should be every three feet, so you may need five of them per track for each half of the layout. You don't want to rely on rail joiners to carry power.
Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Welcome to the forums. Your first few posts will be moderated before they are visible, so it may take a little time for them to show up.
I'll bump you back to the top, though I don't have many answers. However, I will ask a couple of questions to help others giving you answers.
Are you using sectional or flex track? Makes a difference in the number of rail joints you have. Will you be soldering any of your rail joints?
Good luck,
Richard
I am ready to lay down my track. But I need some advice on how to go about wiring when the time comes. My layout is a simple oval with two parallel tracks and some sidings, using Atlas code 100. It is a modular layout spanning two 5x5 tabletops. I'm thinking on using THREE feeder wires to power the track - three for the outside and three for the inside. The purple square is the location where I aim to also put a railway bridge at. The layout will also be DCC powered. Question is, which three areas of track do you think are best places to sold by feeder wires in?
The second issue, and it's a bigger issue, is the switches, especially the crossover switches. I've been getting a lot of info regarding DCC friendly turnouts and the potential polarity problems. So I need help, should I do any customization to my turnouts? Any advice that I should do to wire them for when I start wiring? Or should I leave my crossovers as they are and there would not be any polarity issues?