I am putting together a small 4x8 in a garage with a buddy. We are just using some Bachmann EZ-track to facilitate the plan. The layout will be run on DCC, but the turnouts we purchased run off DC power. Can you do this? or would running a DCC locomotive and then switching the turnouts with DC do any damage?
Thanks in advance!
The turnout actuating motors run on DC to snap the points rails over…a separate task and a separate circuit. You will not run into problems since the DCC running the train is confined to the rails and insulated from the rest of the turnout via the plastic ties.
So, you will need a DC power supply. Note that some turnout motors will run via a decoder using DCC. Your case is simple, but you will have to press a button on a box to get the points to snap over, and that box will get its power from a DC tranformer.
That’s right. DCC control of turnouts is optional. You can add decoders to do this, or run them the old-fashioned way. Or, you can get rid of the motors and use ground throws or cables to push the points over.
I personally run my trains on DCC, and have my switch machines activated by toggles on control panels.