Wiring an HO Trolley

[bpolvo]

I've started and stopped HO layouts for years. Usually stopping at the wiring part. My son asked for a short line HO trolley layout. We decided on an oval with an 'X' through the middle. Two reverse loops. I gapped it in 7 places for standard DC cab control but I also bought an MRC Command controller for DCC. I was told this would be easier. My questions are many because I can't even figure out how to wire the sections for power let alone hook up reverse loops and DCC. I have Atlas selectors and other old equipment. My first qiestion would be how do I attach all the wires inorder to control power to all the sections I've gapped? I know they all need a toggle switch or an Atlas switch but how do I run the wires to these? If someone is interested in helping me I'd write off line with more detail or here if its easier.
Thanks Bob

[MisterBeasley]

Since you haven't wired anything yet, I assume that you will be using the DCC system you've bought. That will, as claimed, simplify things.

I suspect you've over-done it with the gapping. For a short loop with an X like that, I would only gap the ends of the X where it meets the turnout from the oval. I think the two sides of the crossover should already be electrically isolated from each other.

The main oval needs to get power. I would wire that as the primary track, directly from the DCC system. You might want to search around this forum a bit for information about installing a "Track Bus," which is basically a pair of heavy wires which run below your tracks, and then are joined to the track every few feed by a pair of "feeder" wires. This isn't strictly necessary, but it will greatly improve your performance.

Next, the reversing sections need special attention. The standard way to do this in DCC is to install a "reverser" module for each one. Again, it's simple to do this - just run wires from your main track power to the reverser, and then from the reverser to the track of the reversing section.

Done. It really is as easy as that. The reverser module takes care of the polarity changes when it detects the train crossing the gap, and again on the other side of the reverser when the train leaves. After a while, you forget about it, because it's so transparent to the operator.

The drawback of the reversers is the cost. They run 30-40 dollars each. With a single trolley, you can "cheat" and wire both reverse sections to the same reverser module, but as you expand your layout and start running multiple trains simultaneously, you will regret doing that. A low-cost option is to wire each section through a double-pole, double-throw switch. The Atlas Twin is perfect for this, but you'll also need a third DPDT switch for the main loop if you do this. This works, but you will have to remember to throw the switches at the right time. (The reverser module is a DPDT switch with brains, by the way.)

[fwright]

Are you running off overhead wire? If so, the wiring becomes as simple as 3 rail O; the overhead takes the place of the center rail; reversing sections don't matter. DCC still has the advantage of getting rid of the block controls that are necessary for more than one trolley to operate simultaneously.

If not, wire as MisterBeasely describes.

yours in wiring
Fred