running 2 trains on a layout

[Anonymous]

this is my problem;i want to run 2 trains,1 switcher and a main line going all the way around my layout,my problem is how to set the blocks so the main engine can put cars in the yard so the switcher can put them where they need to be and how to get the main line engine hook up and rolling agin around the main line ???

[Anonymous]

this is my problem;i want to run 2 trains,1 switcher and a main line going all the way around my layout,my problem is how to set the blocks so the main engine can put cars in the yard so the switcher can put them where they need to be and how to get the main line engine hook up and rolling agin around the main line ???

[Kent]

Have you ever though of going DCC?

[Kent]

Have you ever though of going DCC?

[CNJ831]

Very simple, assuming that you have toggle switches controling your electrical blocks. When your mainline engine (running on toggle position Cab A) must enter the yard, put your switcher on a yard spur/track with its block toggle set either on -center off- or Cab B (power to the switcher). Placed the toggle controling the rest of the yard to Cab A (the mainline engine) and have it come in to drop off or pick up cars. Once the mailine engine departs, put the whole yard back on Cab B and let the switcher do its work. If the mainline engine needs to remain in the yard while switching is done, just have another blocked yard spur where you can temporarily stage it.

[CNJ831]

Very simple, assuming that you have toggle switches controling your electrical blocks. When your mainline engine (running on toggle position Cab A) must enter the yard, put your switcher on a yard spur/track with its block toggle set either on -center off- or Cab B (power to the switcher). Placed the toggle controling the rest of the yard to Cab A (the mainline engine) and have it come in to drop off or pick up cars. Once the mailine engine departs, put the whole yard back on Cab B and let the switcher do its work. If the mainline engine needs to remain in the yard while switching is done, just have another blocked yard spur where you can temporarily stage it.

[Sperandeo]

Hello "scrhino,"

DCC is the obvious and simplest solution, as has been mentioned. If you want to stick to cab control with conventional DC, I recommend that you get my book, "Easy Model Railroad Wiring," from Kalmbach. It covers cab control wiring and block locations in some detail.

Good luck,

Andy

[Sperandeo]

Hello "scrhino,"

DCC is the obvious and simplest solution, as has been mentioned. If you want to stick to cab control with conventional DC, I recommend that you get my book, "Easy Model Railroad Wiring," from Kalmbach. It covers cab control wiring and block locations in some detail.

Good luck,

Andy

[Anonymous]

Schrino,
Listen to Andy - His book is excellent, and breaks everything down into easy, usable steps. His examples on wiring for small and complex yards are wonderful, and the wiring solutions for turnouts work on both DC and DCC.

Tim
[8D]

[Anonymous]

Schrino,
Listen to Andy - His book is excellent, and breaks everything down into easy, usable steps. His examples on wiring for small and complex yards are wonderful, and the wiring solutions for turnouts work on both DC and DCC.

Tim
[8D]

[Anonymous]

As previously stated, I'm not DCC but DC is functional for me.

I do run an A-B-B-A, two FP40's and sometimes an 8-32W on the same track using the block system .
When my fastest catches up, I momentarily throw a block but DCC is the ultimate in operations.

[Anonymous]

As previously stated, I'm not DCC but DC is functional for me.

I do run an A-B-B-A, two FP40's and sometimes an 8-32W on the same track using the block system .
When my fastest catches up, I momentarily throw a block but DCC is the ultimate in operations.

[Anonymous]

DCC is probaly the best solution.

[Anonymous]

DCC is probaly the best solution.

[Anonymous]

Its hard to explain when you don't the LAYOUT, so here's how I would probably do It. First I would place the switcher on a stub track close to the main line and shut it off, then I would run in with the other train and set all the cars that are to be switched around, pickup all outgoing and run this train to somewhere it won't be in the way and turn off that block. I would then turn on the stub track and do my switching. Unless you use DCC it would be quite a problem to run two train at the same especially if they are traveling in oposite directions
Please note; I AM NOT AN EXPERT...

[Anonymous]

Its hard to explain when you don't the LAYOUT, so here's how I would probably do It. First I would place the switcher on a stub track close to the main line and shut it off, then I would run in with the other train and set all the cars that are to be switched around, pickup all outgoing and run this train to somewhere it won't be in the way and turn off that block. I would then turn on the stub track and do my switching. Unless you use DCC it would be quite a problem to run two train at the same especially if they are traveling in oposite directions
Please note; I AM NOT AN EXPERT...

[snowey]

listen to Andy in the above post; his wiring book is exellent & easy to follow. If, however, you do decide to go with DCC, Kalmbach also has an exellent beginners book about it.

[snowey]

listen to Andy in the above post; his wiring book is exellent & easy to follow. If, however, you do decide to go with DCC, Kalmbach also has an exellent beginners book about it.

[BRAKIE]

First DCC is not all that great. due to the little hidden things nobody bothers to tell you about during all this DCC flag waving....YES I have and use DCC.

You can run 2 trains at a time and bring one into the yard..All you need to do is park your switcher on a yard track and turn the inbound track to the cab you are using for your main line..The best part is you can do this with the Atlas selectors that doesn't require a book to wire...Just follow the simple directions on the back of the pakage they come in..

[BRAKIE]

First DCC is not all that great. due to the little hidden things nobody bothers to tell you about during all this DCC flag waving....YES I have and use DCC.

You can run 2 trains at a time and bring one into the yard..All you need to do is park your switcher on a yard track and turn the inbound track to the cab you are using for your main line..The best part is you can do this with the Atlas selectors that doesn't require a book to wire...Just follow the simple directions on the back of the pakage they come in..

[Anonymous]

Use Locolinc you can even run double headers

[Anonymous]

Use Locolinc you can even run double headers

[cp1057]

Hi Scrhino,

While it's true that either DCC or block switching are solutions, the way I handle this is very simple:

My layout is constructed using power-routing turnouts made by Peco. When a switcher locomotive is moved onto a spur track in my yard and the turnout is set for a through route, the power is cut off from the spur track. Other locomotives can then be moved into the yard while the switcher remains stationary on the spur track. As long as the turnouts are kept clean, the power-routing feature works quite well, I have been using this system for years.

It would probably be a good idea to pick up Andy's book, such publications written by experienced modellers are chock-full of ideas and advice.

DCC sounds great but alas it is for hobbyists with larger budgets than mine.

Charles

[cp1057]

Hi Scrhino,

While it's true that either DCC or block switching are solutions, the way I handle this is very simple:

My layout is constructed using power-routing turnouts made by Peco. When a switcher locomotive is moved onto a spur track in my yard and the turnout is set for a through route, the power is cut off from the spur track. Other locomotives can then be moved into the yard while the switcher remains stationary on the spur track. As long as the turnouts are kept clean, the power-routing feature works quite well, I have been using this system for years.

It would probably be a good idea to pick up Andy's book, such publications written by experienced modellers are chock-full of ideas and advice.

DCC sounds great but alas it is for hobbyists with larger budgets than mine.

Charles

[Anonymous]

If you want to stay with simple dc cab control, obtain a copy of"the complete Atlas wiring book" in which there easy to follow diagrams covering from single control to complex multi cab layouts, written to help beginners.

[Anonymous]

If you want to stay with simple dc cab control, obtain a copy of"the complete Atlas wiring book" in which there easy to follow diagrams covering from single control to complex multi cab layouts, written to help beginners.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Kent...If you can afford the initial outlay of CASH...Man O' Man is DCC the way to go, and it is friendly...I liken it to the day's when we had 3 channels of TV, and now...150 channels...Go For It If You Can...

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

Have you ever though of going DCC?

[Anonymous]

I agree with Kent...If you can afford the initial outlay of CASH...Man O' Man is DCC the way to go, and it is friendly...I liken it to the day's when we had 3 channels of TV, and now...150 channels...Go For It If You Can...

QUOTE: Originally posted by kentsoftware.com

Have you ever though of going DCC?

[BR60103]

If you are only running 2 trains and are content to run them as you described, and the switcher will never go out on the main line, set up a length of track between the switching area and the main line where you will interchange the cars. Isolate it at both ends (plastic rail joiners in HO) and hook a DPDT switch up to it. Hook one set of the outer posts of the DPDT to the main line and the other set to the switching area. You can now connect the interchange track to either of your blocks as required.
You can put extra isolating sections into both blocks and be able to interchange the locos as well.
If you buy more locos, you will need to get something more complex. Get Andy's wiring book.

[BR60103]

If you are only running 2 trains and are content to run them as you described, and the switcher will never go out on the main line, set up a length of track between the switching area and the main line where you will interchange the cars. Isolate it at both ends (plastic rail joiners in HO) and hook a DPDT switch up to it. Hook one set of the outer posts of the DPDT to the main line and the other set to the switching area. You can now connect the interchange track to either of your blocks as required.
You can put extra isolating sections into both blocks and be able to interchange the locos as well.
If you buy more locos, you will need to get something more complex. Get Andy's wiring book.