As long as your detectors are DCC capable, gapping a sing rail is just fine. There are limitations:
Do not cross power districts or boosters - you may need optical isolation units to get across them!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
submanOn a DCC layout do you gap both rails or 1 rail & which one if only 1 for signal current detection?
On a DCC layout do you gap both rails or 1 rail & which one if only 1 for signal current detection?
It mostly depends on what block detection system you are going to use. At any rate, if you are trying to decide what to do about gaps while laying your track, don't do anything. Wait until you get your detection system. Then you can use a motor tool and a cut-off disk and cut them where you want.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
On my test bed using Team Digital inductance block detectors, and a PA, I only needed to gap one rail.
I think as long as you gap the same rail each time, you'll be OK.
I also think if you have different power districts, that's where you'd gap both rails.
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.