I just finished laying my track and I have two industrial areas coming off of a double mainline. How do I separate the industrial area so I can park some engines and cars there and still run trains on my mainlines. I know I need to install blocks, but I am not really sure how to do this, what kind of wire should I use and what type of switches to turn power on and off to the track. Please reply in simple terms. I am operating in DC not DCC Thank You. My knowledge with wiring is limited.
All you basically need to do is isolate one of the rails using insulating joiners. Then install a switch to bridge the joiner so that when you throw the switch, the track gets voltage. As simple as a light switch circuit. You can even use a light switch if you want.
Part of the purpose of blocks on DC is to run more than one train at a time. So each block should be electrically independent. Each block then should have a multiple pole switch that connects the power supply to the block via two or more controlers. A rotary a switch works well for 3 or more trains. DPDT works for two. If this is new to you, a book is worth the price to get the diagrams. They can be quite complex, though each block is simple in itself.
Pick up a copy of “Easy Model Railroad Wiring” by Andy Sperandeo. Any good hobby shop or bookstore should have a copy of it. I’m experienced and I found it invaluable.
hi,
you should think twice…the basic question is: “how many trains do you want to run at the very same time and how many operators are doing it”.
If only 2 people are involved, running 2 trains at the very same time, DC and the use off easy DPDT switches is an option. Double pole, double throw switches enables you to connect any piece of track (block) with the appropriate regulator. This is not funny at all when you have to watch these switches all the time, though… when a operator seldom leaves his territory or block, and each is merely running a train on his own loop, this is no problem at all.
If you and a friend are running trains, you have to switch each block to you or to your friend. The DPDT switches have an OFF-position too, so parking an engine can be done easily.
If more people are involved ,and when you are constantly running over the same tracks as your friends…this system begins to be annoying, beside being expensive. You’ll have to pay more attention to setting switches then to your trains.
This is where DCC comes into play… . Only two wires and initial costs; you have to buy the system and the decoders for the engines you already have.
I second one of the posters, Andy Sperandeo’s book is very good…for serious work i prefer books by well respected authors.
smile
Paul
A “block” is a section of track that is electrically isolated from all the other track on the layout. Power to the block comes thru an electrical switch, that allows you to:
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Turn off power for the block, allowing you to park locomotives in the block and have them stay put while you run locomotives on other blocks of the layout.
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Connect power to the block from one or two of your power packs. You mentioned you have a double track main line. You can run two trains at once if you provide two power packs, one for each track of the main. Call you two power packs “cabs”. You can arrange block toggle switches to connect the block to either cab.
The switches should be double pole, double throw (DPDT)switches. Radio Shack will have them, and All Electronics (Google for them) will have very good prices. DPDT switches are made with, and without, a “Center Off” position. You want “Center Off” switches. If the advertisement doesn’t specifically say “center off” assume the switch doesn’t have a center off position.
To isolate a block you can use plastic (insulating) rail joiners, or use a cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut a gap in the rail. I always gap both rails just in case. In principle gapping one rail is enough, but gapping both rails always works. If you cut gaps with a Dremel,. you should slip a bit of plastic into the gap to keep it open. Glue the plastic in place with CA glue and file it to match the rail.
DPDT switches have 6 contacts. The switch will connect the center contacts to either the two contacts on the left, or the two contacts on the left. You should connect the track of the bock to the center contacts, the left contacts to one cab, and the right contacts to the other cab.