Thinking about my new layout !

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flesland

New Member
Hey fellows, again here trying to understand everything about my new hobby but I can say "as much as I read as much as I can´t understand".

Anyway I'm trying to don´t discourage but I have a supreme question for you !!

- If I buy a couple of power source like MRC Railpower 1370
( http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/500-aa370.htm )

How many loco's I would manage into a layout HO that contain 8 blocks and 6 or 7 turnouts?

Do I mandatory take into account 2 power sources with its selectors switches?

And, how the power sources operate when they are connected with a couple of selectors ? by the way....what is the purpose of selectors ?

Thank you so much for your answers !!! :) :) :) :) :) :)
 
Flesland, since you are just starting out, I would urge you to consider DCC rather than DC. You don't need power blocks, electrical switches, or complicated wiring. You can get a DCC controller for less than $200 that will easily run five or six engines. Many newer engines already come with DCC decoders or one can be added by just plugging the correct decoder into an existing circuit board. Most non-sound decoders can be had for $20 or less. There's a really good article for DCC beginners at http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm. Read it over and see if you think DCC might be a better way to go.
 
Good advice, UP...and to answer the original question, if you have 2 DC power packs, you can run 2 trains.

DCC is so much easier to wire, and to run, than DC.

Just my opinion, since I have and use both DCC and DC.

Rotor
 


Thanks very much friends !!!.....by the way...which kind of DCC sistem could you recommend to me, I mean all parts I need to run a DCC sistem, I know this is compound for a DCC controller, a Booster unit, what else ?

Thanks !!!:) :) :) :) :)
 
Check at Tony's Train Exchange, the link I gave you. They have some great comparisions between DCC systems. Unless you're going to build a large layout, you probably won't need a booster. Check prices at www.modeltrainstuff.com. They normally have as good or better prices than most discounters and they ship to Chile.
 
I thought there was a DCC topic so I apologize in advance for asking DCC related questions in another thread. I am working on a small 4X8 layout, and based on what I know about DCC (that toytrainsexchange link was very helpful) I will not be using it this time around. But I have 3 questions that i missed in the TTE article or were not there.

I have what I believe is an older athern engine. Southern F7A. Can an older engine be fitted with a decoder as long as it draws the necessary current?

I did read about fitting the decoder within the unit and "carving plastic" in some places to make the decoder fit. Can a decoder be installed in a B unit, slug or dummy unit to avoid this?

if for whatever reason I cannot fit the decoder on my older engine, could i run that one engine through the layout using DC and still run other DCC equiped trains on the same track, but keep the 1 older engin exclusive to the 1 DC powerpack?
 
Yes, Yes, No...:D

You can put a decoder in the old Athearn, as long as it meets the current capacity.

You can mount the decoder in a dummy.

No, you can't run a DC power pack. BUT...most DCC systems will run one DC loco on address 00.

Rotor
 
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