I’m building my first layout from an Atlas beginner book and the layout shows 6 terminal sections. Why have 6, is it for mutiple trains? Do I have to hook up all 6 if I’m only running one train? My one dumb question ( for today anyway)
You don’t say what layout design from ATLAS. I would follow their directions until I had a layout or two under my belt. When your track has turnouts, crosovers, a Y or return loop, certain rails have to be insulated to prevent a short. Instalation of terminal sections then puts power, properly, into the siding, etc. You may not think you wiant to run more than one train now, but TRUST ME. After ;you get your layout built, YOU WILL.
[:D]
yardmaster 10
I agree with randyBC2003, and not just because of his name [:D].
I would build it EXACTLY as shown. Take no shortcuts. Pay attention to what goes where, and use it as a learnign tool. Once you have a little more experience you can start making changes. The Atlas plans are generally well thought out and put together the way they are because they know what they show will work, if you follow the directions.
–Randy
One common problem that starting model railroaders experience is that their trains run faster when they are close to the terminal strip, but more slowly when they are farther away. This happens because nickel-silver rail is not as good a conductor of electricity as copper. Thus, the farther away the trains are from power, the less electricity they get.
But with several sets of terminals, power is more evenly distributed and you have better control of the power–the locomotive’s speed will remain relatively steady no matter where it is on the layout.
There are other reasons for multiple sets of terminals–the plan might be intended to include several “blocks”, which are separated electrically from each other by insulated rail joiners. This is done for what is called “multiple cab control”, where two traditional DC controllers can be used to control two trains, by assigning each block to a particular cab.
The layout also might have a reverse loop, in which case you HAVE to insulate and separately power a section–otherwise you’ll get a short circuit and your trains won’t run at all. The description in your book should explain this more fully.
thanks alot I’ll hook it up a directed