How do I run 2 or 3 trains on the 1 track?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone please put me on the right track? I have just started my first ho layout and trying to work out how to run 2 or 3 trains on the one track but I am not sure how to go about it . Is " block wiring" the way to go as i cannot afford dcc. Are there any good websites on block wiring or has any one got some basic pointers for me????

[Anonymous]

Hello Boysie,

You may not find that block DC is cheaper than DCC if you want 3 or more trains to run at the same time. With only 2 you can use simple 3 position toggles to provide Cab A, Cab B and off. If you want to run more than 2 you will need rotary switches to select the various Cabs or the off position. A bit pricey but the luxury touch is radio buttons for Cab selection. A few of these arrays will easily exceed the cost of an entry level DCC.

Each block on my DC layout is wired to include a turnout and the track leading up to it. Having a block on a piece of track without a turnout is only needed for doing trick shunting with 2 locomotives.

I would suggest you think hard about what you want your layout to become in a few years. You are going to be spending money one way or another so it should be prioritised for giving you the most fun for your buck. The biggest advantage of DC is being able to find cheap or used parts from many sources and also an outlet for those of us that enjoy getting out the soldering iron and wiring up a few control panels for fun and relaxation.

[Budliner]

hey just to chime in here
I have just made the jump to dcc
and with digitax decoders for $18
and a mrc 2000 on ebay I got 2 for like $20 each
and each can run 6 to 10 loco and you get to use you power pack you have now
the thing is the all the dcc decoders are fine if you later say I want the NCE system for a few hundred all the parts will still work and it just seems so hard to flip all the switches like playing the paino just to get the train to make a loop
with the dcc system you can have some walkarounds hooked up for cheep and your pals can run trains with you and you can all control trains just like the big boys do it independent control now comon you can get $18 for a dt123 decoder and start with one dcc oh did I tell you the command 2000 can run your dc locos too and for the most part thay run good and it dont bug them too much I got the hole thing for under $100 and its great its so much better with 2 or 3 train moving have fun
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B-

[Anonymous]

How to run 2 or 3 trains on the same track is the question so lets answer it.

There are a couple of things to check before you can be sure your power pack is up to the job of running more than one loco on the same track

The ampere of current that the loco draws and the current rating of the power pack.

A typical HO diesel draws between .25 and .5 ampere of current and a typical train set pack
will deliver that much, adequate for an average engine.

After market power packs like those from www.modelrec.com click on the power pack, then tech 4 have enough capacity to run 2 or 3 locos without blowing the internal circuit breaker.

W E L C O M E A B O A R D!

Power packs are rated in voltamps(VAs) The higher the VA rating the greater the capacity to deliver.

I'm not DCC but run an A-B-B-A powered consist and one other loco on the same track
because my pack has the capacity to deliver and that's the key.

[Jacktal]

When I first considered DCC,I was thinking that having a modest layout didn't justify the investment,but studying all the pros and cons has me change my mind.Here's my opinion,for what it's worthed.

First,block wiring,with all the needed hardware(switches,relays and so on)to have flexible operation will end up being as expensive as DCC.So that took care of the money issue.

Even worse,with DC and block wiring,I'd be so busy throwing switches to control my trains that operating would be more of a job than fun.So DCC shines even more on smaller layouts unless you wi***o stick to operating a single train.

DCC is also much simpler to setup as the necessary wiring is minimal so that you could have your layout working much faster.This also accounts for easier troubleshooting,should a problem occur.

The only negative point I've found with DCC so far is having to learn how it works and yet,it's not so bad.I've started by the basic commands and can achieve running my locos so far,I'll take on programming later,with the help of fellows modellers at the club.By the way,being member of a railroad modeller's club can be very helpful and fun.

If you should decide to invest in DCC,which you wouldn't be sorry for,I suggest that you make sure to purchase a system that is "expandable".I know some basic systems aren't,and the savings wouldn't be worthed it .Once you try DCC,you are likely to enjoy it and may be interested in expanding your layout or add other features to it..I suggest that you do a little shopping and if uncertain on which system to buy,there are great people on this forum who will answer your questions...and for free.Isn't this great?

[AntonioFP45]

Boysie,

Click on this link:

www.Digitrax.com

The Zephyr would fit your needs nicely!

I used to think that DCC was a hassle, but after having read the info over and over, I have seen that it is simpler than the tradional cab systems.

My upcoming layout will basically be an "around the wall" shelf with a two track main line. At certain times I plan on challenging myself by running two trains on the main line while performing switching duties on the industries.

With the traditional cab-block system, this would make for a lot of toggle flipping. With DCC now very affordable you can concentrate more on running the railroad!

[Anonymous]

Also try this link:

http://www.cvpusa.com

Once there click on EasyDcc

[AltonFan]

If you're just starting out, try to get into DCC at your earliest opportunity. I have so many N scale engines that adopting DCC would be an expensive and time-consuming proposition. (And I still have a lot of Micro-Trains couplers to install.)

So if you can, get DCC (or at least as DCC ready as you can) now, and avoid an expensive backlog later.

[BRAKIE]

Frankly you don't need to fall into the DCC money trap.First I have DCC/Sound and now wish I didn't .Why I went DCC I will never know.I am not the only one that is thinking about turning back to DC.Your best bet is to use block controls and save you hundreds of dollars in the process.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Frankly you don't need to fall into the DCC money trap.

You're looking at a professional response to the question and it relates directly to the question. WOW!

[Anonymous]

Boysie, these have all been excellent suggestions, Click onto this address.
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html It's a page from the National Model Railroad Association. On it, you will find detailed intructions along with diagrams showing you exactly how what you asked is done using the DC method and what type of power packs to use. It also has another page showing the basics of using the DCC method. You'll also find just about everything else about the basics of model railroading on these pages as well..

[Budliner]

see what happened when you run 1 loco on dc for to long

http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtF255_269/amt255a.jpg