My layout has dozens of blocks. It has three throttles. The two main ones are hooked up to the Atlas switches. The third one is only hooked to the block in the yard which is on a dpdt switch which overrides the wires from the Atlas switch so a third person can work the yard. So having multiple throttles can be done but it might get complicated.
Thanks for the help - I found a Kalmbach magazine on basic wiring that covers both reversing loops and block controls which I will pass on to my friend, plus the details above, and between all the info he should be all set!
Mr. Mick
Here is an example of common rail with Atlas Selectors.
And this is with toggles.
Jim
MrMick,
How many cabs or operators? You also mention Atlas twin. Is He wiring common rail DC? Using Atlas components? My suggestion would be to not use common rail wiring and go two rail wiring (both rails insulated) and use rotary switches for the blocks. That way you can add as many power packs as you want...but the cost adds up for the ganged rotary switches and of course more wiring..they also take up a lot of space in a control panel. If He has tethered hand held throttles, then You could mount the rotary switches for the block control on the facia.....you then could follow your train. I had a large DC layout with 3-cab control with MRC CM 20's that have hand helds, some rotary's were on the control panel, with some on the facia. I have since made the layout smaller by cutting out sections (given to My two youngest grandson's) because it was just too big for one person to finish or really control.....at 74, just don't have the energy anymore. Also a two rail DC insulated layout is a lot easier to convert to DCC should He choose......just switch power supply's. If DCC was out at the time I started My layout, I more than likely would have gone that route....motor only control though. Have Him or You take a look at this link for tips and wiring multiple cabs. There are many sites out there even videos on How-To's. Google them and take Your pick, as was suggested.
http://modeltrains.about.com/od/electronicsdcc/ss/Wiring-A-Model-Railroad-For-Block-Operation.htm
My suggestion is to also stay away from reverse loops. You just can't beat a double track mainline without coming back on itself. Also can't see creating a dead short on purpose. My layout was 12 1/2 x 42ft, way too big for one operator.
Good Luck!
Take Care!
Frank
Hello all,
Check out the Atlas book; The Complete Atlas Wiring Book on basic wiring for DC.
This covers multi-cab construction and operation, along with many other wiring basic that are applicable for DC and DCC.
Before converting to DCC my 4'x8' pike had 16 control blocks with dual cab control. There are 18 DC controlled switches.
After factoring in the amount of wire needed to control this pike I could have spent the same amount of money on a DCC system AND the wire to control the pike.
The switches are still DC controlled but the pike is now DCC.
As has been said many times before, with DC you control the track, with DCC you control the locomotives.
Something to consider.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Going with more than 2 power pakcs put you beyond what is easily accomplished with the Atlas electrical parts. If you read up some on cab control there will be examples that show 3 or more cabs. There are also other methods of DC wiring for multiple operators. The fancier the control scheme, the more wires it takes, though this is really a whole bunmch of the same modules that make up the system, so 10 or 20, it the exact same wiring, just repeated 10 or 20 times. The advanced systems like route cab control and MZL make it easier for the operator - the more complex the wiring system, the less unrealistic work the operator has to do. The simpler the scheme, the less wiring there is, but the operator has to be constantly flipping block toggles to assign power.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
He wants what is known as block control. Google block control. There are books on the subject and many online sites.
From a quick search for model train block control. Just adapt as necessary.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/212119.aspx
My local club back in the 1980's built a two room HO layout using 14 blocks, one reverse loop and four operators. We used common rail at the time.
A dispatcher was constantly needed at the control panel during operations or the cry, who has my loco would be heard many times.
One time a loco landed on the floor at a removable bridge between rooms doorway.
Switching to DCC was a great change.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
One of the fellows in our operating group is building his first layout. He has laid quite a bit of track but when he connected a power pack, he identified several reverse loops, and asked me to help him wire the tracks so trains would run. I looked at what he had and identified where he had to install Atlas Twin switches to deal with the reverse loops. However, my real concern was the fact that he plans on using several DC powerpacks - located at the ends of the layout where he has freight yards - so multilpe operaotrs can run the trains. my question: how do you electically connect the different power sources so trains can move from one powered area to another powerd area? Notes: 1. the different areas are isolated from each other electically by plastic rail joiners. 2. My layout is DCC and not large, so I have no practical example that I can learn from about multiple power packs.