I have a small around the wall layout (8' x 6.5' x 8') with a single "running track," two passing tracks, and several sidings. I use a Prodigy Express cab and just acquired the cable that allows me to read and program CV's with my laptop. My question is, if I installed a switch that could select either "main" or "program" connections on the Prodigy unit, could I use the running track to program on? The MRC program won't read CV's on the main, if I am reading the downloaded manual correctly.
TRNJ
Hi!
This subject has come up several times before. As I'm building my first DCC layout, it has been of particular interest to me.
As I gather, you CAN make your running track the programming track. However, it is not generally accepted as good practice. The main reason - in my opinion - is that any other locos on the track will get reprogrammed - and sooner or later you will forget to remove all except the one you want to program.
Another reason is that with a dedicated programming track you are inclined to get better signal "reception". As my layout is not yet built, I have a three foot track mounted on a 1x4 that is used for programming. The finished layout will have a three foot siding near the engine facilities that will be electrically isolated and only program wires will feed to it. The catch here is that a loco could bridge the track gaps, so you have to be careful to not start programming until the loco is fully on the programming track.
Hey, for what its worth!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
As Mobilman44 has pointed out, it's generally considered "safer" to use something other than the entire main as a programming track. You can use a section of the main, or a stub track, as long as you isolate it properly
Here's a link to the proper way to isolate a section of the main to use as a programming track.
I use a similar setup, except instead of a portion of the main with isolating sections at each end, I use a dead-end spur with an isolating section between it and the main.
HTH Steve
I have one track in my yard which I have isolated, and two switches which allow me to isolate it from the main and connect my NCE Powercab to it. It's nice to be able to drive a locomotive onto the track without handling it, but... you haven't really experienced DCC until you punch in the new address just programmed in and hit go, and see every loco on your layout start to move simultaneously!
You CAN but you shouldn't. Switch the entire main line to the program track connections and EVERY loco ont he track will get programmed.
If your system has seperate connections for the program track, the BEST thing is to connect it to a piece of track that it not attached to the layout in any way (dummy siding somewhere if you want to have it on the layout)
Second best way is to have a siding with TWO sets of gaps, at least a loco length apart. You need a 4PDT switch for this. Wire so that when in "run" mode, botht he loco length section and the end of the siding get power from the track connection - this allows you to drive a loco on and off the program track. In 'program' mode, the end of the siding is connected to the program track terminals, and the loco length section is completely dead - the prevents you from accidently having a loco span the gaps and send the program commands to, you guessed it, every loco on the main.
Third choice is a simple isolated siding (gaps in both rails) and a DPDT switch. In 'run', the siding is connected tot he track terminals, in 'program' it's connected to the program track terminals. Danger is, of a loco or somethign with metal wheels is bridging the gap, once again program commands get out to the main line.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This spur track is my programming track, both rail insulated controlled by DPDT switch.
early view of section almosy 30' length allows programming, even E-unit A-B sets at the same time
plastic rail joiners visible right at lead of spur.
closeup, both rails isolated, feeder wire also visible
Toggle to switch between main/off/program hidden from nomal viewing angle by roof acess stairwell.
scenery, less water in place, spur serves double duty, when not programming shipping an receiving express freight from the air cargo terminal.
I have never found the need to program on the layout, with the exception of putting consists together during an OPS session. I have a six foot programing and test track at my work bench. I use decoder pro and a laptop for programing decoders, but also have a throttle jack for testing. The DPDT switch is used to switch the track between programing and test track.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
My method is a bit different, but it is quite effective if I am to be the judge. I have a lead to my turntable. The lead is necessarily gapped at the TT pit lip, and I placed another gap in both rails just after the turnout allowing access to the lead.
This is the part that I thought was sort of clever: I have the prime bus from my DB150 base station terminating at an SPDT. The rest of the layout, but not that TT lead, is fed from the other pair of terminals. The feeders to the lead are wrapped around the same posts as the wires terminating from the DB150 (so one pair of posts does double duty).
When I want to do something unique in the way of programming (address changes, for example, which Digitrax urges us to do in Paged Mode...hence the need for an isolated section of track!), I place or drive the engine so that it is between the rail ends, and then flip the toggle. The rest of the layout goes silent, and the power remains to the one short TT lead.
Works like a charm!! Do what I have to, flip the toggle back the other way, and I have the rest of the layout back in business.
CAVEAT! If any of the train's powered axles crosses the gap, you will get a completed circuit and the rest of the layout will be powered through your one decoder! So I take precautions to prevent the train from doing that. I block the rail ends with small clamps.
You can easily use a section of your mainline as your programming track. Just isolate a block of track - say one 3' piece of flextrack with no turnouts or junctions on it - and set it up with a DPDT switch to go between regular running and programming. That's what I did on my last layout, it worked fine. In fact, it's better than having an "off the layout" programming track because you don't have to keep moving the engine by hand back and forth to program it and test it. You put it in the programming section and change a CV, then throw the DPDT switch and run the engine and see how it works. When it comes back around to the programming section, throw the DPDT again and change another CV, or tweak the first one.
If you have a double track mainline, you can speed-match engines by putting the two into a consist, and putting them side by side one on each main. You can then use the programming track to adjust the one engine until it's matched to the other engine.
You could, if isolate one section of the main, wire it to a switch to choose running or porgramming, have no other engines located on the programming section, and possibly wire everything to feed through a pair of switches so the program track is powered but the rest of the layout track is unpowered when programming.
Another idea is to just get a 2-3 foot long board and tack some nail to it. Use wired rail jointers or even be a little fancier and use feeder wires soldered to the rail. Connect it all to the programming track outputs on your DCC either "hard wired" with cheap suitcase connectors or use a 2 pole male/female plug so it can be plugged in when you need to do work. Any other time it can be set where ever it can go so it's out of the way.
Second day is very similar. Make a T-girder with a plywood top and a 1 by that is tall enough to get the plywood over any scenery at your layout edge. Couple of quick clamps to clamp the T-girder programming track to your layout edge, see above for the rest.
3rd is even easier yet. Save a piece of scrap plywood a couple feet long and a little wider than the track, glue a length of track down and just set it all on top of your track on the layout. Could even set it on the floor.
This is all assuming you want some length to move a train around a bit to make sure CV's are set right, something that I've seen as a suggestion numerous times. You don't have to do that, nore would it have to be a couple of feet long.
My programing track is completely isolated from my layout, It's four pieces of sectional track mounted to a board which doubles as my track used for checking coupler heights and wheel gauging. I soldered two pick up wires and put a small plug on them and ran a pair of wires form the command station to the corner of my desk. I plug the track in and program the locomotive, this way my pc is right there if I want to download a new sound file etc. I find no value in placing my program track anywhere on my layout, why for what purpose when this works absolutely fine. As mentioned yes it can be done and there is absolutely no difference in signal strength
On a Prodigy you have two separate connections one for the layout and one for programing. When you select program on your throttle all functions go to the program track. I am not running that busy of a railroad that i have the need to program one locomotive while I have trains running around at the same time. I can only see it leading to future problems.
I like Selector's idea. I've got a Lenz system, and a conveniently-located siding which is isolated from the rest of the layout by insulators. It's got a DPDT toggle to go from "layout" to "programming track" mode.
I have one engine that needs to use what Lenz calls Programming On the Main, or POM mode, for some actions. I moved all my engines to kill-switch sidings and did the job, but I found that to be a real nuisance, even with only a dozen or so locomotives, some of which are in boxes under the table. So, One of these days I'll install another DPDT on the output of the Track feeds of the DCC controller, and use that to drive either the main track bus or another lead to the programming track.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have two programming tracks. One is a piece of flex track glued to a 1 x 3.That one is on the work bench. The other is a couple of straight sections of Unitrack. Those travel in my laptop bag for on the road programming.
Martin Myers
MisterBeasley...I have one engine that needs to use what Lenz calls Programming On the Main, or POM mode, for some actions. I moved all my engines to kill-switch sidings and did the job, but I found that to be a real nuisance, even with only a dozen or so locomotives...
My way is probably overkill, but I never have a mistake. I have two command stations, one on the railroad, the other on a little piddle around switching layout at my workbench. The one at the workbench has a command station and booster, the main layout has 4 boosters and the command station. I do all programming on the little switching layout, with the exception of setting up consists. That I do on the railroad. Never have a miscue, a little pricy, but it is insurance.
Bob
Here is my programming track at home.
At the club we have a spur with a DPDT switch hooked in. Up for the main, down to program. This way we can run the engine in, program, and check to see if it works in the intended manner. If not, flip the switch and try again.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com