How to attach separate line of track to DCC?

[woodman]

I got back into the hobby 4 years ago after my daughter announced she was having a baby ( Boy ).  I started building the layout ( Shaped like the letter " E " ). I have two maine lines going around the layout with one of the lines splitting into three separate sections of the layout ( the 3 sections of the letter " E " ) this is where I established 3 different areas, Industries, mining, and a downtown district. One of the main lines is separate from the rest of the layout so I would have continous running and then could concentrate on doing my  switching operations from the other main line. My question is how do I attach the two mainlines to my system ( Digitrax Zephyr Extra, HO Scale } since the one main line is like having a separate layout in itself.I am completely new to DCC having been out of the hobby for 20 years, I would have no problem figuring this out if I was working in DC, but I am confused and a bit aprehensive in DCC. Please keep the replies simple, asI have limited knowledge, Thank You.

[Phoebe Vet]

I do not understand your question.  Just wire it the same way you wired the rest of your layout.  DC vs DCC is irrelevant.  As long as you don't create any short circuits, it will be fine.

[MisterBeasley]

I would consider getting some circuit breakers to divide the layout.  Each section should have isolated track and a separate track bus beneath the layout.  This will allow your continuous running section to keep running even if you have a short in your switching area.

[richhotrain]

Phoebe Vet

I do not understand your question. 

 

Nor do I.

woodman, I read your post several times, but I fail to grasp your issue.

Take another shot at explaining the problem or concern that you have with your wiring.

Rich

Edit Note:  Mister Beasley and I posted our replies at the same time.  As I read Mr. B's reply, I wonder, is a short in one area of the layout your concern?  Are you trying to figure out how to keep the rest of your layout up and running if a short occurs in another area of the layout?

[Stevert]

Simple answer:  Just connect both lines of track to the same track terminals on the Zephyr.

DCC is address-based.  If you want to control a loco, or throw a switch, or whatever, the DCC decoder used to perform that action has an address. 

So as long as you don't duplicate an address**, you'll only be controlling that address no matter which of the lines it's on.

**There are some specific instances where duplicating an address is desireable.  But in terms of answering your basic question, we can ignore those circumstances for now.

[peahrens]

Sorry but this turned out not to be the simple explanation.  In my view, most importantly, as you get into DCC, besides addressing questions on the forum (always helpful) I also recommend some supplemntal resources.  Kalmbach has some very good books.  I was quite pleased with "The DCC Guide" (1st edition) which I see is now $10.  The reviews on the 2nd edition (which is $20) suggest that while it gets into more details, the first edition may be a good place to start. 

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-books-wiring-electronics-series.html

Also, there are lots of good websites (like "wiringfordcc.com") that get into specifics such as how to wire a particular brand turnout.  And you can always call folks like Tony's Trains to get insight and advice on your specific situation.

Having said that, assuming your DCC system can provide enough output for the number of locos you intend to run simultaneously, you only need to divide the output to the track system into "subdistricts" (separate circuit breaker boards) if you have reversing needs (reversing loops, wye tracks and/or turntable) OR if you want to create subdistricts (subdivisions of your main output) so if you get a short (say, a derailed loco or a shorting flange in a tight turnout spot) you know what section is the problem area.  Otherwise, just split you system output to go to each track zone that is not connected to others. 

I presume you know you need to run your system output to the tracks via a "buss" (heavier wire) and a series of "feeders" (smaller wires) to the track from the buss (usually every 6' or so).  The buss can be branched as needed ("Y"s or "T"s).   

A classic example is the option about circuit breaker board sub-districts is whether to include (i.e., not use isolating rail joiners) a yard with the adjacent mainline system in the same district/subdistrict.  Since you can usually tell that a short has occurred and you know what you are moving where, it's usually simpler and quite adequate to use fairly large zones as one system or subsystem.  In a club environment, they might lean towards more subdistricts (e.g., a separate zone for a large switching yard) so a problem in one area is confined there.

If you want to divide your output into subdistricts, you would route the main output to multiple circuit breaker boards.  One cheaper example is the OG-CBs. 

http://www.tonystrains.com/products/dccspecialties.htm

Then you would run subdistrict busses from those boards to each subdistrict section, using feeders.  Each section would need to be isolated from the others, either by not having connecting tracks (e.g., two independent loops) or by using isolating rail joiners so each subsection gets its signals from the appropriate circuit breaker board.  When a loco crosses from one section to another it then gets its instructions via that sections circuit breaker board.  

[rrinker]

 Sounds like what you have is, in essence, two indepedent loops nested within each other. If so, you seimply wire power from the Zephyr to each loop as if they were independent layouts. Nothing fancy is needed here. Best would be to make sure the inside rail of both loops connectso to the same side of the Zephyr track outputs, ditto the outside rail - that way if you later add crossovers to get from one loop to teh other, it will all work.

                      --Randy

 

[floridaflyer]

What Randy said