Layout wiring

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I am in the process of wiring my layout and had a few questions.

I have a modern (not the latest) ZW, and the Legacy Command System.

I have 3 independent loops that are connected by a crossover and a transition track from the lower level to the upper level.

  1. When I ‘transfer’ a train from one track to the other do I need to worry about transitioning from one track supply to the other?

  2. Would I be better off with rotary switches to select the power source? I would also think a SP switch to deaden the track block(s) would also be wise?

  3. If using a rotary switch do I need one for each pole for each block? If not do I put the rotary switch on the common pole or the variable pole?

This was the configuration I was thinking…

ZW — 4 position rotary switch — SP lighted toggle switch

2

Brent,

Make sure you have an insulating pin in the center rail at the transition. You can have one source on one side of the pin (such as terminal A on the ZW) and the other source (like terminal B) on the other side.

However, it is critical that the voltages on each side of the pin are equal. If not, you have a short that the circuit breaker won’t offer any protection from if you get two rollers bridging the transition point. Since you are running command, it should be easy to have say 18V on each side.

3

each block is isolated from the others using the isolating plastic clips from Atlas. [:)]