Good Morning, I have finished my n-scale track planand am now beginning to figure out the wiring. I am using Kato Unitrack with a double mainline. My mainline run is about 60 feet with yards at both ends of the layout. I will be using a Digitrax Super Chief DCC system. My question is whether I should use "blocks" or not?? I like the idea of being able to find shorts,etc... easier with the block system. If yes, how many?? Thanks!!
I certainly recommend using blocks. Not knowing much about your overall track plan it is hard to say how many but from the info you provided I would say at least two sort. If the trackage inbetween the yards is pretty simple with few short "opportunities," two may be all you need. If however the middle section has lots of sidings, stub tracks, industrial switching, etc. I would say at least three and maybe more.
I would say three - one for each yard and one for the mains. Use circuit breakers to protect each section.
If you have reverse loops, they need to be isolated anyway, and an auto-reverse unit functions as a circuit breaker for them.
You might also want to separate your two main lines and go with 4 breakers.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I think what you really want to do is divide up your layout into Sub-Power Districts. The way that I woulod do it is have three sub-power districts, each with it's own circuit breaker. One for each yard (2) and one for the mailine or area between the yards (1).
I know that Digitrax has their own power manager, the PM42, but it uses relays. I would recommend a solid state device such as the NCE EB-1. Some will recommend the PSX devices and they are good also but a little on the expensive side.
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.
DrJim55na double mainline. My mainline run is about 60 feet with yards at both ends of the layout. I will be using a Digitrax Super Chief DCC system. My question is whether I should use "blocks" or not?? I like the idea of being able to find shorts,etc... easier with the block system. If yes, how many??