Setting up new layout, help with point wiring

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello fellow train lovers! We are a couple of noobs in the process of building a layout and we are looking for some insights on wiring points. We have a two track set up, one on the outside one on the inside with the outside one crossing the inner to go to a staging/shed area. We are unsure of how to wore the point crossing from the outer to inner track and isolate them so a train can run on them simultaneously Even after watching many YouTube videos we still haven’t found a definitive answer!.We will have 2 controllers, one for each track and we are using Peco Insulfrogs.

I guess we are unsure of if and where we might need insulating joiners if at all and if we need some DPT switches…

I am attaching out layout. Any help is greatly appriciated as we haven’t found much help online so far. Thanks i advance!!

Phoenix and Adria

2

Hello All,

[#welcome] to the forums.

Your first few posts will be reviewed by the moderators, so there will be a delay in seeing them.

Are you using DCC (Digital Command Control) or DC (Direct Current)?

If the outer track is only crossing the inner loop using a track crossing you don’t need to gap any track as the two tracks on a crossing section are electrically isolated.

With DC control, if you are using two turnouts back-to-back to create a crossover between the two loops, then you will need to “gap” or “isolate” the loops (blocks).

If you want to have one locomotive move through the crossover, to the inner loop, then to a spur off the inner loop it gets more complicated in DC.

What you are asking about is referred to as “block” wiring in DC.

A “block” is a single section of track- -it can be as small as a single 9-inch section of track or as large as each oval you describe. A single block is controlled by a single “controller.”

Each block needs to be gapped or “isolated” from all other blocks.

You can physically cut “gaps” in both rails or use plastic insulated rail joiners on both rails.

A “controller” is also referred to as a “cab.”

So, you will have dual-cab control.

On the back of the cab could be several sets of screw terminals.

Typically:

•DC Track Power; “+” (positive), “-” (negative)
•AC Accessory; “+” (positive), “-” (negative)
•DC Accessory; “+” (positive), “-” (negative)

On a DC cab there is a &quo