power wiring

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I’m planning for the wiring of power for my FasTrack Christmas layout which has over a dozen switches, a couple of uncouplers, an operating track, and two accessories. The layout will be only TMCC and will operate 3 or 4 trains. I plan to use the modern version ZW with (4) 180W Powerhouses for track power (divided into 4 sections with the middle rail insulated between sections).

I have a postwar ZW which I hope to be able to use for the switches, uncouplers, operating track, and accessories. I plan to use my existing ASC’s to control the switches, my existing SC-2 to control the uncouplers and accessories, and an existing OTC to control the operating track.

I assume that I can hook all the above to separate controls on my postwar ZW without problems, but I may be incorrect. I plan to use the A-U for the ASC’s, the D-U for the SC-2 and either the B-U or C-U for the OTC. Even though there is a common ground, I assume that the A, B, C, and D handles will separately control the devices attached to them.

Can anyone confirm or correct my plans?

2

You can use the older ZW but put fast blow fuses in line from the A, B, C, or D terminals. The reason behind this is that the older ZW’s circuit breaker is too slow for todays electronic devices, the same can be said for other older transformers also!

Lee F.