Here are a couple of simplified common rail diagrams.
Jim
At the very least you need some toggle switches and insualted joiners to break your layout up into blocks. You can use the Atlas components to make it easy, specifically the Selector. One variable DC connection on each pack gets connected together and to the common rail, the one without insulating joiners. Do use more than one feed, rail and rail joiners make for poor conductors and loss of power and poor operation may result. The Atlas Selector has two terminals on the left side (and if you need more than 4 blocks, you can connect multiple Selectors together by sliding the lugs on the first one under the screws of the second, less wire that way). The free variable DC terminal of one pack goes to the top screw on the side of the first Selector, the free terminal of the second pack goes to the bottom. The screw at the top, above each switch on the Selector, goes to each of the insulated blocks on the layout. Instructions are also on the package.
Me, i never did like common rail wiring. I also think it's easier to understand when there are two wires going to each block - 2 wires = a complete circuit, and it's obvious, unlike having all the commons bunched up somewhere. To do that, you put insulated joiners in BOTH rails between each block, and run two wires from each block to the center terminals of a DPDT toggle. The left terminals of each toggle, you connect to the variable DC of one of the packs. The right terminals of each switch, to the variable DC of the second pack. Quirck of toggle switches, when the handle points to the right, it actually connects the LEFT terminals to the center, so orient the switches so that the handle points to the appropriate pack which will make it easy to glance at your panel and see which block is connected to which power pack. Easiest is to arrange the toggles on a panel that has a diagram of the layout, with the toggle located in the part of the track that it controls.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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Proportional Train Control. (Or so I would think).
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I know I'm going to feel dumb but what is PTC?
Need help, I have 2 MRC Tech II cab Controls with PTC, I forgot how to wire them>