Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Wolfy, Wow! You are quite ambitious. I don't expect to have that many turnouts (switches) in my entire layout when it is done. I recommend you read the following books before you drive any screws or cut any lumber ... How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork published by Kalmbach, Easy Model Railroad Wiring by Andy Sperandeo, Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong, and How to Operate Your Model Railroad by Bruce Chub. The first book will be helpful for obvious reasons. The second book describs what you need to know to do 'Two-Rail' wiring for a layout. Even though you plan to use DCC the book by Andy Sperandeo is helpful in providing understanding for all electrical needs for a model railroad. You will need to get a book on DCC and I have no recommendations there. The book on Track Planning will help you make good decisions and plans for your model empire and the book on Operations is also filled with information you may use to get the most of your modeling experience. As for blocks: Two-rail wiring is used on many layouts to control trains independently. This is possible because model locomotives (HO that is) are DC. If one rail on your layout is attached to 'ground' (called the 'common rail'), then supplying a voltage to the other rail makes the train move. If the voltage is high, the train moves forward; if low the train moves backwards. By dividing the other rail into discrete sections using insulated rail joiners, engines on different sections of the track may by controlled independently. Each discrete section of the track is called a 'block'. By running a power wire from the discrete rail to an electrical switch and then from the switch to the power pack, each block of track may be turned on or off AND/OR connected to one or another power pack. You say you are a computer guy, so think of it like this ... Hook up a printer to an A-B switch and connect the two inputs of the A-B switch to two different computers. This is exactly how Two-Rail block control wiring works. Each computer represents a power pack. The A-B switch is an electrical switch which selects which power pack is currently attached to a given block of track. The printer represents a block of track. The computer attached to the printer has command over the printer until the A-B switch is selected to the other computer. In two-rail block control wiring, you just have more A-B switches (as many as you decide to have blocks) and you provide a switch and a power feeder wire to every block. There are special situations where you need to know more, but that is the concept. Andy Sperandeo's book will teach you what you need to know. I believe you will still need to know about blocks to have a DCC layout and that is another reason to read the book. It also mentions other electrical subjects like signals and block detection I believe. I think I have gone on a bit long here. Let me know if you have any more questions. Good Luck - Ed
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community