I was hoping someone could help me out on some track wiring. I have two loops, one on the inside and one on the outside. They are connected via four switches. Two are on the inside and two on the outside. Is it possibel to wire the loops independant of each other, and still be able to run the train over the switches and to the other loop without have the train reverse or stop? The purpose of the two loops are for distance. The inside is for stations and the outside is to create the illusion of distance. I want to make it so that the lights go on in the stations when the train is on the inner loop. The lights in the outer loop when the train is on that loop. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you
Angelo
I’m not completely sure what you want to do, Angelo; but I’ll make some assumptions.
If you have two transformers or a dual transformer and want to be able to control two trains separately on the two loops, you can wire the center rail of each loop to the common pole of a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) center-off switch to allow you to connect each loop to either variable transformer output. If you connect both loops to the same transformer output, you can simply run across from one loop to the other. For the station lights, substitute a double-pole-double-throw (DPDT) center-off switch for the SPDT and use the other pole to connect the lights to an accessory voltage in either “on” position.
If you intend to run only one train and have a single transformer, there is no need to wire the loops separately. It seems that the only things that you would need are two simple single-pole-single-throw (SPST) switches to turn the two sets of lights on and off, or one SPDT switch to turn one or the other on at a time. If you want that to be automatic, you can do it with isolated running rails; but that would be a lot of trouble unless you are using track that is already insulated. You would connect each set of lights between the accessory voltage and the isolated rail for its track section. It can also be done with a relay if you have conventional track with the running rails connected together through the ties.
Does any of this match what you want to do?
heres a digram of this. I hope this helps![8D]
You guys nailed it!!! Thanks a lot gonna give it a shot.
Lionelsoni,
The lights I am talking about are the ones you helped me with .
Thanks
Angelo