Wiring a RCS to a single button

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I would like to wire my RCS and UCS to a single momentary push button switch. Has anyone done this on their layout, and how’d that work out. I have 12 RCS and UCS sections on my layout and would like to free up some space on my control panel. My goal would be to have one push button for each section. Is this possible to do?

Thanks folks!!!

2

It depends on whether you want to be able to uncouple and unload or just do one or the other. For uncoupling, all the extra rails are connected to the center rail. For unloading, some are connected to the center rail, others to the outside rail.

I use only magnetic uncoupling sections, which I invariably locate near the trailing-point ends of track switches, so that I can, for example, spot a string of cars on a siding. I wire each uncoupling section to the associated switch, so that the switch controller also operates the uncoupler. (This will not work with electromagnetic uncoupling sections.)

3

9 of the sections are uncouple only, where the other 3 are for unloading. Would I wire one of the posts on the push button to the power side or the neutral side?

Thanks again

4

I have all of my uncoupling sections wired to one button and then powered by a 1033 wired to fixed 11 V. The common post is wired to the outside rail to make the circuit. Works great. May not do that on big layout when built. May wire some to same buttons in some sections.

5

For uncoupling only, wire all the extra rails through the pushbutton to the center rail or to the accessory voltage. For unloading only, if the section is the type with just two extra rails and no electromagnet, then ground one of the extra rails to the outside rails and wire the other through the pushbutton to the center rail or accessory voltage. If the section is the type with four extra rails and an electromagnet in the middle, then ground both extra rails on one end and wire the other two through the pushbutton.

The latter type can also be used for uncoupling even though wired for unolading if the truck to be uncoupled is positioned on the end that is wired through the pushbutton. An operating car will not operate in that case if you can keep that car’s other truck off the section.