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8
INFORMATION STATION
PRODUCTS
Basic electricity
and control systems
Electricity
nowing how to use electricity in
model railroading extends beyond Fig. 2 POWER PACK CONNECTIONS.
Krunning trains. You ll also want to MRC s Tech II has fixed DC terminals for
use electricity to power switch accessories. Power packs also include
machines, structure lights, streetlights, variable DC (track power) and fixed AC
and other accessories. Having a good (accessory) terminals. When making
basic knowledge of electricity will help connections, always wrap wire clockwise
you use these accessories with confi- around the terminal screws.
dence and improve the realism (and
fun) of your layout. Let s start with
PHOTOS BY JEFF WILSON
some basics.
To trains or
accessories
AC vs. DC
Standard house current Power
supply
is alternating current(AC),
and although some model
Ammeter
trains (notably three-rail
connected in series
Voltmeter
O gauge, American Flyer S
connected in parallel
gauge, and Märklin HO)
use AC, most scale model
Fig. 3 METER CONNECTIONS
trains use direct current (DC). Volts and amperes
With AC, as the name implies, the It s important to provide the proper for model railroads. Transformers
polarity constantly alternates at 60 voltage to accessories, as too much reduce the voltage to the 12 to 18V
cycles per second in the United States. power can burn out bulbs and motors. needed for trains and accessories.
With DC the polarity is constant as the Electricity is measured using volts For current, most modern locomo-
current flows. Direct current allows us (V) and amperes (A). I find it easiest to tives in HO and N scales use less than
to use polarity to control motor direc- understand each using the analogy of a .5A, while some older models draw
tion (very important in running trains), water supply pipe coming into your more. Engines in O scale and larger
something that can t be done with AC. house. Volts measure the force of elec- models can use 1A or more. Small
Figure 1 shows how this works. tricity (the pressure gauge on a water devices such as light bulbs require little
On a typical power pack, the variable pipe) and amps measure the amount of current, and their current consumption
DC output goes to the track this is what electricity (the water meter). is often measured in milliamps (mA).
is adjusted by the speed controller. Most The water pressure (volts) to your For reference, one milliamp is a hun-
power packs also have fixed AC termi- house remains constant, but the vol- dredth of an amp (1mA is .01A; 5mA
nals, and some also have fixed DC ter- ume of water (amps) used varies is .05A).
minals (see fig. 2), which put out depending upon how many faucets you Most power packs and other power
continuous voltage. These can be used have open at a time. supplies are rated in volt-amps (VA),
for accessories. The electricity in your house is at meaning volts x amps. To convert this
120V, much too high to use safely to the ampere ratings used by model
railroaders, divide the output rating of
the power pack by 12, which will give
Direction of travel
Motor
you the pack s amp output rating at
12 volts.
Light bulbs are probably the most
commonly used electrical accessories.
Most small bulbs draw roughly 10mA
Motor
Polarity (0.1A), while some microbulbs draw
less than 5mA.
How do you know if there s enough
power for all of your accessories? Add
Polarity
the current required for all accessories
and make sure the total is less than the
rated limit of your power supply. For
Fig. 1 DC POLARITY
example, if you have a 1A power supply
Direction of travel
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT WEGNER
V
oltmeter
12V
Each bulb receives
full voltage
12V
12V
Optional switch
To other
lights
12V
4V
4V
Parallel
4V
Single-pole, single-throw (SPST)
Optional switch
12V
Voltage is divided
among bulbs
Series
Fig. 4 TYPES OF CIRCUITS
Throwing switch turns power on or off
Single-pole, double-throw (SPDT)
you can use it to power ten 10mA bulbs
or 20 5mA bulbs.
You can determine the amount of
current a bulb or accessory is drawing
and how much voltage is in a circuit
with separate meters or a combination
volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) as
shown in the photo on page 54. The
proper way to connect a voltmeter and
ammeter in a circuit is shown in fig. 3.
Throwing switch directs power
Don t use a VOM as part of a perma-
to one of two circuits
nent circuit, as the electronic compo-
nents of the milliammeter function can
Fig. 5 TOGGLE SWITCHES
be damaged by continuous use.
It s a good idea to have a separate
power supply for accessories. With Also, you can t add additional bulbs
small power packs, the drain of acces- while keeping constant voltage.
sories can slow your trains, and increas-
ing the speed of trains can dim your Switches
accessory lights. You can turn accessories on and off
It s also good practice to operate by turning the power supply on and off,
bulbs at less than their rated voltage but a better way is with a switch. Fig-
(12V for a 15V bulb; 1.2 or 1.3V for a ure 5 shows the two styles of toggle
1.5V bulb). This increases bulb life and switches used on most layouts.
lowers the operating temperature, They come in a variety of sizes and
important with plastic models. styles, with the single-pole, single-
throw the simplest type (a basic on-off
Series and parallel switch). The number of poles refers to
You can connect multiple acces- the number of connections that can be
sories or bulbs in one of two ways: made. The number of throws is the
series or parallel. Figure 4 shows each number of positions that the switch
style, using light bulbs as an example. can be turned to.
Parallel connecting gives each bulb For more detailed information on
the same voltage, regardless of how wiring, see Easy Model Railroad Wiring:
many there are. Adding bulbs is easy by Second Edition by Andy Sperandeo
wiring them to the main (bus) wires. (published by Kalmbach).
Connecting in series (end-to-end) The more comfortable you are with
divides the voltage equally among all wiring, the more animation and life
bulbs. A disadvantage is that if one bulb you ll be able to bring to your layout. 1
burns out, the whole string loses power.
Insulated joiner (or gap)
Cab control switch which can turn the power to that
block off. Since the switch is a double-
throw type it connects only one of the
cabs to the block at any one time. The
One block illustration at left shows how to connect
Common feeder
both cabs and a switch to a single block.
Of course, you need more than one
Common
Switch set to select cab B block on the layout. The schematic
connection
to control this block
drawing shows how to wire an oval
SPDT
with a passing siding for two-train con-
toggle
switch
trol. The wiring may look complex but
it s simply a matter of repeating the sin-
gle block wiring as necessary.
Block You ll need not only a cab but also as
Cab B
feeder
many single-pole, double-throw (SPDT)
Insulated joiner
switches as you have blocks.
(or gap)
Another option is the Atlas Selector,
which is simply four SPDT slide
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICK JOHNSON
Cab A
switches in a single case. Most model-
ers, though, prefer to have the switch
controlling a particular block mounted
Block 1
on the control panel schematic, making
it easier to tell at a glance which block a
switch controls.
Block 2
It s a good idea to test each block as
Common rail
Block 5 you wire it up as crossed wires are the
biggest problem with cab control. And
Block 3
be sure you color code your wiring as it
makes the initial wiring and any future
Block 4
alterations or troubleshooting a whole
lot easier.
1 2 3 4 5
A B A B A B A B A B
How it works
SPDT
Once your wiring is complete place
Switches
one locomotive in block 1 and flip the
toggle for that block to cab A. Then
place a second locomotive in a differ-
ent block and flip that toggle to cab B.
Common connection
You should be able to control the two
locomotives independently within the
individual blocks.
As the trains work their way around
Cab A Cab B the layout turn the next block to the
appropriate cab. Turn off the block
he only thing better than running Layout wiring after you leave it or the next train enter-
one train is running two at the Cab control works by dividing the ing the block will be controlled by the
Tsame time. Getting a single train to layout into electrically isolated sections wrong cab, leading to that familiar
run around the layout is usually a mat- of track, called blocks. You can do cry of Someone s got my train!
ter of simply running a pair of wires this using plastic insulating rail joiners While command control (another
between the power pack and the track. or by cutting a gap in the rails and fill- topic for a later time) takes care of that
But simply placing a second locomotive ing it with a non-conductive material problem, cab control is still a viable
on the track will mean both trains run like styrene. Since you can isolate the option. For more details on layout
in the same direction at the same rela- track sections by gapping only one rail, wiring see Easy Model Railroad Wiring
tive speed, so getting independent con- the other rail is called the common and by Andy Sperandeo (Kalmbach Pub-
trol of two trains will require some is wired to both cabs. lishing Co.), which includes a detailed
additional wiring, what we commonly Power wires, or feeders, from each explanation of cab control and the asso-
call cab control. block are connected to an electrical ciated wiring. 1
Fig. 2 LOOP
SHORT CIRCUITS
Wiring reverse loops
Short circuit!
Return loop with all-live turnout
Short circuit!
Return loop with power-routing turnout
Magazine. Ed.], and whether your
turnouts are either the all-live or power-
routing type.
PHOTO BY JIM FORBES
The basic idea in wiring a reverse
everse loops tracks that turn Without special wiring, turning trains on loop is to isolate the loop itself using
trains around can add a great loops or wyes on your model railroad will insulated rail joiners to make it a
Rdeal of operating interest to a lay- cause an electrical short. Fortunately, wiring separate electrical block. Double-pole,
out, but they also require special wiring a reversing section of track is easy. You need double-throw (DPDT) switches are then
that goes beyond connecting a pair of only a little electrical know how, some wire, used to change the polarity of the loop
wires to the track. Some modelers and a toggle switch or two. track, thus avoiding a short circuit.
avoid building layouts that have a There are two simple methods of wiring
return loop or wye, thinking that the a plan, trace the path of a train around loops: One method uses a single DPDT
wiring is beyond their level of expertise. various routes. If a train can wind back switch; the other uses two switches.
However, there s no need to fear. to go the opposite direction on a track
Although reverse loops require special without reversing the locomotive, then Reversing with one switch
wiring, the job is not difficult and can there s a reverse loop. Figure 3 shows the single-switch
be done quickly. Without special wiring, a reverse loop method. It s the simplest to wire; how-
What qualifies as a reversing track will result in a short circuit as fig. 2 ever, it can be difficult to operate
section? The most common is the simple shows. This is true regardless of smoothly without bringing the train to
return loop or balloon track, but wyes whether you re using a single power a complete stop.
and reversing cutoff tracks also qualify pack, a cab-control system with multi- Here s how the single switch works:
as reversing sections and need special ple power packs, or Digital Command First set the loop direction switch to
wiring. Figure 1 shows four examples. Control [For more on reverse loops and match the polarity of the main line,
In some track plans the existence of DCC, see DCC Corner in the August allowing the train to enter the loop.
a return loop isn t as obvious. To check 2003 issue of MODEL RAILROADER Next, stop the train on the isolated sec-
tion of track and throw the power
pack s reversing switch, the loop
Fig. 1 TYPES OF
switch, and set the loop s turnout to
REVERSING
TRACKS
Fig. 3
SINGLE-SWITCH
Return loop or balloon track
Cutoff track
METHOD
Turnout set
for diverging
route
Wye
Loop direction
DPDT switch
Figure-eight connector
Power pack
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICK JOHNSON
Optional red bulb
allow the train to exit the loop segment Fig. 5 ADDING
to indicate polarity
POLARITY
back onto the main line.
doesn t match
You can try using this method with- INDICATOR
LIGHTS
out stopping the train by throwing both
the reversing switch and the loop
switch at the same time, though it can
cause jerky operation.
16-volt
light bulbs
Reversing with two switches
The better method for layouts with
standard DC control is to use two Green bulb
lights when
DPDT switches, requiring only a bit
polarity is
more wiring, as shown in fig. 4. The
correct for route
additional switch serves as the main-
line direction switch. It lets you change for an operator to determine for which
the polarity of the main line indepen- route the polarity is aligned. A simple
dent of the reversing section, eliminat- solution is to use a pair of green 16-volt
ing the need for stopping the train (or bulbs wired as fig. 5 shows. Place them
throwing both switches at once) while on the control panel next to their cor-
the train is in the loop. responding routes. Whichever is lighted
A potential problem is that it s indicates the correct route.
impossible with toggle switches alone Another option shown in fig. 5 adds
a red bulb to indicate incorrect polar-
ity. These aren t necessary if you re
Fig. 4
using green bulbs set in a control panel,
TWO-SWITCH
but you can add a bit of animation to
METHOD
the layout by using both red and green
Turnout set for
lamps in lineside signals to show oper-
straight route
ators if the track polarity is correct.
You can also control return loops
automatically, but that s a bit beyond
this column. For a thorough look at
return loops, including details on
wiring wyes and incorporating return
Loop direction
Mainline
loops with cab control wiring, see Andy
DPDT switch
direction
Sperandeo s book Easy Model Railroad
DPDT switch
Power pack Wiring, Second Edition (published
by Kalmbach). 1
Basics of wire
nce you begin building a layout organize and label circuits to make later Fig. 1 WIRE. Many types and sizes of wire are
you quickly discover you need a lot modifications or troubleshooting easier. available. Shown here are 14-gauge solid,
Oof wire. Control panels, track feed- 18-gauge stranded, 22-gauge solid, and two-
ers, switch machines, lighting, signals, Wire conductor 24-gauge solid (speaker wire).
and other accessories will require Insulated copper wire (fig. 1) is the
separate circuits. standard for electrical wiring. Wire has well for track and other main power
Knowing what different types of wire two key descriptors: gauge (size) and supply wires on model railroads.
can do, what tools and connectors are whether it s stranded or solid. Smaller wire, such as 20 or 22 gauge, is
available, and what connection options The size is measured in gauge and okay for track feeders, but shouldn t be
you have besides solder can help you indicated by a number, as in 22AWG used for long runs, because the voltage
wire your layout more quickly and easily. (American Wire Gauge) or 14AWG. The will drop more the farther the wire is
Work toward two goals when wiring: smaller the number, the larger (in from the power source compared to
First, ensure that every circuit never has diameter) the wire. The larger the wire, heavier wire.
a reason to fail. Crawling under a layout the more current it can handle. Solid wire should be the first pref-
to find a broken wire doesn t fit my goal Most 120V (volt) household wiring is erence for most applications. It s easy
of model railroading being fun. Second, 12- and 14-gauge wire. Either will work to strip and prepare for soldering and
Fig. 2 TOOLS. Small and large (6" and 8") Fig. 3 SOLDERING IRON. A 30-watt pencil- Fig. 4 COMMON JOINTS. For a T-shaped joint,
wire cutters and a combination wire strip- type iron with stand and rosin-core solder wrap the feeder wire around the main wire.
per/crimper are vital for working with wire. will handle most soldering jobs. For splices, wrap the wires around each other.
now many lead-free solders available. You can also use vinyl electrical tape
Never use acid-core solder for wiring, to protect joints, but this tape has a
can be used with crimp-on terminals. as electricity flowing through the joint habit of unraveling over time.
Use stranded wire where flexibility will cause corrosion.
is important. Figure 4 shows two of the most com- Spade and other connectors
You can find smaller sizes of wire at mon solder joints. Whichever joint you Whenever a wire needs to be con-
electronics stores such as Radio Shack use, the technique is the same. Place the nected to a screw terminal (such as on a
as well as many hobby shops. For heav- iron at the joint as in fig. 5. Once power pack or terminal strip) you can
ier wire, check hardware stores or the joint work is hot, touch the add a spade connector as in fig. 8.
home improvement centers. Heavy wire solder to the work not to the iron Strip the end of the wire, ensuring
can be purchased either by the foot or until the solder flows freely through it. none of the bare wire will be exposed
in spools of 100 to 500 feet. Remove the iron and keep the work beyond the connector. Slip the spade
still until the solder sets. A good solder into place, then use a crimping tool to
Wire cutters and strippers joint should be shiny. The solder should fasten it. Figure 9 shows a couple of
Several tools are handy make that flow around all of the wires with no other crimp-on connectors, including
necessary for working with wire. A clumping. See fig. 6. butt splices and ring terminals.
good pair of cutters like those in fig. 2 If the work moves while the solder is Terminal strips (fig. 8) are available
will stay sharp for a long time, but never still liquid, the solder will appear crys- in many shapes and sizes. They re great
use them to cut piano wire or other steel tallized and the joint won t be solid. If for simplifying wiring on modular or
wire or the cutting edge will be damaged. this happens, reheat the work until the sectional layouts and can minimize sol-
A wire stripper is indispensible. See solder flows again. der joints on other layouts.
fig. 2. Many modelers try to get by with- Be sure to cover all solder joints. Suitcase or tap-in connectors (fig. 10)
out one, but the first time you use a Leaving them exposed is an invitation allow you to connect a feeder into a bus
good wire stripper you ll wonder why to a short circuit or other problem. The wire without having to strip either wire.
you wasted so much time whittling insu- best way to do this is with heat-shrink Snap the connector in place on the bus
lation with a knife. Wire strippers make insulation tubing. Figure 7 shows how wire, slide the feeder into its slot in the
an otherwise tedious job fast and easy. to do this. Thread a length of tubing connector, and use a channel lock pliers
Crimping tools enable you to use onto the wire before soldering the joint. to clamp the metal piece into place. The
many types of wire connectors. Many Once the joint is made, slide the tubing metal strip cuts through the insulation,
strippers are combined with a crimping into place. Rub the side of a soldering making contact with the two wires.
tool, such as the one in fig. 2. iron (not the tip) against the tubing and Many brands of suitcase connectors,
it will shrink tightly around the wire. also known as insulation displacement
Soldering
Soldering makes solid connections,
and if done properly the joint will be as
strong as the wire itself. A pencil-type
iron rated at 25 or 30 watts (see fig. 3)
works well for smaller wires, but the
larger pistol-style soldering guns are
handy for heavy wire. I prefer a pencil-
type iron it provides enough heat for
most applications.
Keep the soldering iron tip clean and
tinned with a light coat of solder. Have
a damp sponge handy and periodically Fig. 6 COMPLETED JOINTS. Joints should be Fig. 7 HEAT-SHRINK TUBING. A finished joint
wipe the hot tip on it to keep it clean. shiny with the solder melted within both is shown at top. Be sure to thread the tubing
The best solder for model railroad wires. The T-shaped joint is a poor joint the onto the wire before soldering the joint. Rub
wiring is rosin core 60/40 (60 percent solder only flowed onto the feeder wire, a sign the tubing with the side of the iron, not the
tin/40 percent lead), although there are that the larger wire did not get hot enough. tip, to make it shrink.
Fig. 5 SOLDERING. Heat both wires with the Fig. 8 CRIMPING. Add spade or other termi- Fig. 9 OTHER CRIMPED CONNECTIONS. Butt
iron, then touch the solder to the wires (not nals to wire by threading them onto the joints, as well as ring terminals, can be
the iron). The solder should flow into the joint. stripped end and crimping them in place. added using a crimping tool.
connectors or IDCs are available. I
prefer 3M s Scotchlok brand because the
metal strip cuts through in two loca-
tions, providing better electrical contact.
Keep it neat
It s tempting to make wire runs as
short as possible, but this can create a
rat s nest under a layout. I like to route
the main track power wires under the
main line to keep the track feeders as
short as possible.
Label all of your wires, and color-
code everything don t rely on your
memory to recall whether the blue wire
is the switch machine positive, half of
the lighting supply, or the north rail.
When routing wires, use wire staples
to hold the wires in place. See fig. 11.
Using ordinary staples or wire nails
crimped over wires can cut into and
damage wire, leading to short circuits
and other failures.
Remember the keys to wiring: Keep
it neat and do it right the first time.
Using the right tools will make wiring
less of a chore, and more importantly
you ll save time for more important
things, such as running trains. 1
Jeff Wilson is a former associate editor
of MODEL RAILROADER.
Fig. 10 TAP-IN CONNECTORS. Suitcase or
tap-in connectors are made to be used with-
out stripping the wire. Use a channel locks
to push the metal strip in place, then close
the plastic cover.
Fig. 11 WIRE STAPLES. Keep your wiring neat
by using wire staples, which are available in
many sizes.
Control
panels
ontrol panels are a great way to
centralize all the switches and but-
Ctons needed to control everything
on the layout in one central location.
Making good-looking control panels
may seem hard, but luckily a tool has
become very common these days that
PHOTOS BY BILL ZUBACK
makes it easy to create neat control
panels. Enter the personal computer.
CONTROL PANEL
Toggles
Computer panel theory
To switch motors
Drill holes
Recently I got serious about adding
to clear
control panels to my Southern New
Terminal toggles
England. I wanted the panels to be neat strip
and easily understood by operators. I Fascia
also wanted them to be fairly unobtru-
sive. I didn t want the control panels to
be the first thing catching visitors eyes
when they see my layout.
I ve seen some intimidating control
panels bolted to the sides of model rail-
roads and I used to earn my living in Marty prewired the toggles before installing
the Combat Information Center on an them on the panel.
Aegis guided missile cruiser. Perhaps
that s where I learned the simpler and reason you can t make your control
easier to understand a control panel is, panels the same way I created mine. .015" clear
.060" styrene
styrene
the better off everyone will be.
Computer printout
To use a buzzword a control panel Computer control panels
ILLUSTRATION BY RICK JOHNSON
is an interface between the user and the The illustration shows how I made
layout. Perhaps the simplest panel is the panels. I started by using the sim- check the spacing and location of the
nothing more than a track diagram ple line drawing software on my PC to switches and lettering. I found I had to
with the various tracks labeled so oper- create a track schematic. The panel move some of the track labels since they
ators will know where to set out or pick shown is for Palmer, one of the more would be obscured by the toggles.
up cars the panel isn t used to control complicated areas on my layout. I printed the control panel on my
the trains or track. At the other extreme I began by drawing a box the size of laser jet printer and used spray adhe-
is a control panel with all the throttles, the control panel and shading it in sive to apply it to some .060" styrene.
levers, and switches needed to control black. Then I followed the track plan to Then I drilled holes for the toggles
everything from one central point. create a schematic drawing of the loca- through the styrene. I used the panel as
My panels fall somewhere in the tion, making sure to leave sufficient fin- a template to mark the hole locations
middle. With walkaround control I ger room for the toggle switches used on a piece of .015" clear styrene. Once
don t need to mount throttles to the to control the switch motors. I then I drilled the holes in the clear sheet I
panel. I also don t need to worry about identified each track by name or num- installed the toggles and secured the
block power or cab assignments since I ber, just like prototype railroads. This panel to the fascia with small screws.
use command control. My panels tell is an easy way to add some real world One tip run the wires from the
operators what town they re in, identify flavor to any model railroad and makes panel to a terminal strip under the lay-
the various tracks by name, number, or it easier on operators. out near the panel location. Then run
purpose, and localize turnout control in With the drawing complete I printed the wires from the terminal strip to the
one place. it in black and white and created a layout. This will help troubleshoot any
But even if you re not using com- dummy panel from a piece of card- problems and will make the wiring look
mand or walkaround control, there s no stock. This is a good way to double- much neater. 1
Digital Command Control
By Cody Grivno
6:00 PM 6:12 PM
Photos by Jim Forbes
and Carl Swanson
ot long ago, MODEL RAILROADER S
editor Terry Thompson challenged
Nme to convert a small N scale lay-
out to Digital Command Control (DCC).
The goal was to see if I could finish the
project in an evening.
On the surface this seemed like an
easy task. However, all of my own lay-
outs to this point had been direct cur-
rent (DC) operated, so this was to be
CONNECTING THE POWER STATION
my first real experience with DCC.
1MOUNTING THE POWER STATION 2
AND COMMAND STATION
The layout I had to convert was the
Carolina Central, an N scale project lay-
out from 1996. Since the layout had The power station (referred to as a genera- After I mounted the power station to the lay-
been designed as a beginner s project, tor by Atlas) provides the power to the out, I swapped the layout s DC power pack for
the wiring was simple and offered only command station and ultimately the trains. the command station, mounting it with Velcro
limited operating potential. With DCC, I mounted the power station on one of the fastener strips. This made it easy to re-
however, block controls would be 1 x 4s used to support the legs of the layout, mount and work on later. I wired the two
unnecessary, and we could enjoy the which also happens to be directly below units together using different colored wire to
accessory functions of DCC, such as where the command station will be located. make them easy to trace. It s also good prac-
controllable lighting and sound effects. It works best to mount the power station and tice to tin the ends of the wire (coat them
After reading the instruction manu- command station close to each other so you with solder) to prevent any stray pieces from
als provided with the Atlas Master DCC don t have to run long lengths of wire, which touching other connections and creating a
System, I was ready to begin. So come might cause a voltage drop and lead to other short circuit. DCC systems are much more
along and see if I can convert this layout operational difficulties. sensitive to short circuits than DC.
to DCC in an evening. 1
8:18 PM 8:33 PM
Bill of materials
18 or 20 ga. model railroad wire
Subminiature double-pole
double-throw switch
Razor saw
Screwdriver
Solder
Soldering iron
Pin vise
no. 60 drill bit
Utility knife
Wire cutter
DRILLING A FEEDER WIRE HOLE SOLDERING THE FEEDER WIRE
5 6
More on our Web site Since the original track plan had only one With the wire run through the hole, I was
To see the DCC-controlled Carolina wire running to the interchange track, I ready to solder the feeder wire to the rail.
Central in action, visit our Web site needed to add a second wire. That meant I Use caution when soldering the wire to the
www.modelrailroader.com. had to drill a feeder wire hole. I used a pin rail so you don t melt the plastic ties, and be
vise and a no. 60 bit on the top of the layout. sure to clean any paint off the side of the
Don t worry if the hole is too big. You can rail so the solder has a surface to stick to.
come back later and fill it in with ballast. In Once the new connection is cool, use needle
order to run the wire underneath the layout files to shape any excess solder to the con-
to the command station, I enlarged an tour of the rails to prevent derailments.
already existing opening in the hollow-core Touch up the soldered area with paint so it
door with a utility knife. blends in with the rest of the rail.
Converting an N scale
in an evening layout to DCC
6:38 PM 6:52 PM
CAROLINA CENTRAL
DCC WIRING DIAGRAM
Terminal rail joiners
Insulating rail
joiners
Generator
CUTTING THE RAIL
3
Double-pole
double-throw
Single-pole
Single-pole Command
With the operational hardware in place, the
switch
double-throw switch
single-throw switch station
third step is to begin preparing the layout
for DCC operations. Start by creating an iso-
ADDING A DOUBLE-POLE DOUBLE-THROW SWITCH
4
lated section of track for programming each
ILLUSTRATION BY RICK JOHNSON
locomotive s decoder address. It works best
to use a siding or seldom-used track as a With a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) When the switch is set for programming
programming track. I used a razor saw to cut switch in hand, I was ready to begin the mode, the isolated section of track can t be
gaps in the rails on the layout s interchange most time-consuming part of this whole operated. Once finished programming a
track. Be sure to cut the gaps carefully so project: replacing the single-pole single- locomotive s decoder, setting the switch to
you don t damage nearby rails or scenery. throw (SPST) switch with a DPDT switch. operational mode restores power to the
After the gaps were cut, I smoothed out the The DPDT switch allows you to use the programming track.
rough spots with a needle file. interchange as the programming track.
9:05 PM
7RUNNING THE TRAINS
The final step, and the one that lets you know To run multiple locomotives, I had to give After roughly three hours of work, the
if the wiring was done correctly, is to program each locomotive its own two-digit address. Carolina Central has been converted to DCC.
the locomotive s decoder address. The steps When operating the layout, you can toggle Now we can run multiple trains on the layout
for programming the locomotive s decoder are back and forth between the two locomotives at the same time, adding to the operational
included in the instruction manual. to control them independently. fun of this small layout.
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