advice/help in advancing to DC block wiring with 2 cabs

[Texas Zepher]

I have an inherited layout that was patterned after a 2 cab DC set up from the book  by Rick Selby "HO Railroad from Set to Scenery - 8 easy steps to building a complete layout" 

As most of us probably do not have that book, is there anyway you can post a diagram?  Or is one available online somewhere?

It is a modification but basically the same layout, inner and outer loop connected by turnouts at two places; and also with passing sidings and yard sidings. Wiring was never done for blocks, it just ran one loco at a time, one cab, one pair of wires to supply the whole layout main power.

Two loops with two crossovers would be a minimum of 8 blocks, 12 would be better.  Then add another for each passing siding.

I want to run two locos/trains  at same time in diff blocks. I also want to store a number of locos on my layout in yard sidings, moving them about by juggling sidings etc. I may change this drastically depending on what I will have to do wiring wise. I know its gonna be rough but I'm trying to learn by doing.

Add one more block for each place you want to do this with.

before and after each turnout

Too many.  Generally you only need/want insulation for blocks on the rails on the split end of a turnout.

I am trying to wire for DC that allows for a logical next step if I am going to go to DCC.

That would probably be a big waste of wire.   To do that the Atlas selectors won't work, unless you use two for each block, one for each polarity.   A single DCC bus will consume less wire over all.  But even then I am not certain the size of the layout in question.  I'm guessing a bit larger than a 4x8?  In which case you don't need much of a bus at all.

1) Can I run a common supply buss around the underside of the layout and if I do, just one one drop from the inside rail for the whole layout?

Yes, that is standard DC common wire strategy.

2) Do I also need to run another buss around for the outside rail so i can wire power pack to energize the bus and then buss to switch and then switch to track feeder in each spot?

I"m not certain I know what you are tyring to ask.  I think the answer is no.   The power for the other rail will have to go through the selector switches.

(I think what I am trying to do with the above questions is set up my wiring for DCC now but adapt for DC)

Since it sounds like you are uncertain what you are trying to do I would recommend to just wire it straight up for DC cab control, or just bite the bullet and go to DCC.

I will run another buss system for my accessories with seperate supply pack.

Talking about an accessory bus along with these other things just confuses things.  Focus on one thing at a time.

[richg1998]

Our club wired a layout in the 1980's for DC Fourteen blocks, four throttles, one reverse loop, common rail. We used a DPDT switch for the reversing loop. We used #24 telephone wires as the club president worked for the local telephone company. We normally ran trains in one direction.

When we went to DCC, we ran #14 stranded along the mainline. We cut the feeders to about seven inches long and connected to the buss. No more need for a dispatcher at the control panel.

We now have still one reverse loop and two cross overs. DCC reverser's handle that very well.

At the far end of the yard, the last track on the ladder, we have a program track.

We use a NCE 5 amp Power Pro and run as many as maybe ten sound locos at one time the last I recall. About a little over three amps of current on the DCC amp meter.

All the turnouts are DC powered on its own 12vdc buss. PFM and Tortoise machines. The Tortoise use 9 vdc from a LM317 regulator. Why mess with what works.

Rich

[UPinCT]

Hi Kgill,

Jim's advice for DC cab control is spot on.  To further answer your question, what Jim has drawn up for you will work in DCC as well.  When you are ready to go to DCC all you do is disconnect the DC power packs and connect your DCC controller.  You can still use the Atlas switch in Jim's example by connecting to the A side and have all the swithces on A.  Or you can remove the Atlas switch and connect all the wires that come from the different blocks to a terminal block.  So no worries about upgrading to DCC later.

Derek

[Soo Line fan]

kgill

1) Can I run a common supply buss around the underside of the layout and if I do, just one one drop from the inside rail for the whole layout?

Yes, one common supply can be used for one rail. Per the diagram this is known as common rail.

No, one drop for this will not be sufficient. Everywhere I add a feeder for a block, I also add a feeder to the common rail side. So if you have 10 blocks, you would also use 10 feeders to the common side. The exception being in areas where the blocks are very small, such as a engine terminal.

kgill

2) Do I also need to run another buss around for the outside rail so i can wire power pack to energize the bus and then buss to switch and then switch to track feeder in each spot?

Per the diagram, the blocked rail is connected directly to the Atlas selectors or toggles. You mentioned using selectors so i will post that here again. Looking at the diagram, the blocked side is connected directly from the rail to the selector terminal.

kgill

(I think what I am trying to do with the above questions is set up my wiring for DCC now but adapt for DC) Am I making sense and am I on the path to success or doomed to miserable failure?

If your not sure what you are trying to do, how do you expect us to know? I assume you are trying to wire up a existing DC layout to add cab control, aka block control.  If that is incorrect please let us know so we do not waste time.

Start out small. You said you want to run a train in each loop. So break up the layout and make a block for each loop. Once this is done, you should be able to run each train independently of each other in both of your loops, You should also be able to switch back and forth between both power packs.

[zstripe]

Kgill,

I'm sorry to say,,,,But for some reason,,something is hanging you up on your decision,,,All your questions,have been already answered,in your other posts,including diagrams,of the way to wire it.

Maybe you ought to reread them??

Cheers,

Frank

[kgill]

I have posted related questions recently but have not come out to ask for advice or pointers on the big one. So here it goes.

But first, I am aware that DCC will make my life easier in this project but because of costs it is not an option for me.

Right now I have an inherited layout that was patterned after a 2 cab DC set up from the book  by Rick Selby "HO Railroad from Set to Scenery - 8 easy steps to building a complete layout"   . It is a modification but basically the same layout, inner and outer loop connected by turnouts at two places; and also with passing sidings and yard sidings. Wiring was never done for blocks, it just ran one loco at a time, one cab, one pair of wires to supply the whole layout main power.

I want to run two locos/trains  at same time in diff blocks. I also want to store a number of locos on my layout in yard sidings, moving them about by juggling sidings etc. I may change this drastically depending on what I will have to do wiring wise. I know its gonna be rough but Im trying to learn by doing.

I have planned where I want my blocks (assume im using the correct term), putting one insulated joiner and soldered rail power supply before and after each turnout, and some multiples on sidings for said locos. In all I count 26 blocks      , some short, some long for mains or passing track.

Maybe I only have 13 blocks? I have 26 places planned to insulate and solder power supply where I want to isolate the loco(s) for various reasons. I have a whole box of Atlas selectors, plenty for 26 blocks.

I fully understand that DCC would simplify my life. I have so many DC locos that I do not wish to give up. I cannot afford to now buy DCC infrastructure but will move in that direction where I can deppending on any advice.

I am trying to wire for DC that allows for a logical next step if I am going to go to DCC.

Trying to figure out how best to frame my questions but hope you get the basics:

1) Can I run a common supply buss around the underside of the layout and if I do, just one one drop from the inside rail for the whole layout?

2) Do I also need to run another buss around for the outside rail so i can wire power pack to energize the bus and then buss to switch and then switch to track feeder in each spot?

(I think what I am trying to do with the above questions is set up my wiring for DCC now but adapt for DC) Am I making sense and am I on the path to success or doomed to miserable failure?

I will run another buss system for my accessories with seperate supply pack.

After all that I think those are the main questions.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post.

Kgill