Newbie2020

I'm wiring my layout DCC as shown in the AnyRail plan. I've got the return loop working perfectly with a dual frog juicer working as an auto-reverser. My question is, do I need to isolate the central sidings between points 6 and 19? If I'm running a shunter in the sidings and a train goes through the reverse loop will the changing polarity affect the shunter? If not, why not? Confused.com

Might sound like a silly question (I'm learning a lot but still a rookie!) but when are points open or closed? I'm guessing that "thrown" and "open" are the same? Am I correct in saying that an open (or thrown) point is when the train is taking the the branch and that closed meeans that the train will travel straight through the points? Rgds Confused of Bedworth!

Great, that was my thoughts too! Thanks guys

Hi All, Quick question! I am about to install 14 DCC Concepts iP Digital point motors. Question is (as I'm very new to DCC and using Digitrax DCS210+) do I programme the point motors with their DCC address before I isntall them, or once I have fitted them and connected them to the track? Cheers

Hi, Has anyone got any experience, good or bad, of the Digikeijs DR5000-ADJ DCC Multi-bus central Command System? Clive

Hi Richard, I note that this reply was some time ago and was wondering if the advice was still unchanged? Cheers Clive

Thanks Guys

Hi, I'm modelling era 3-4 and want to have some working signals on the layout. I am using DCC and can operate the signals from the corresponding Cobalt iP Digital turnout motors. What I would like to know is does anyone know of a resource (book, web page video etc) that will show me the prototypical layout of signals? ie where they should be sited, what type and colour of semaphore? Cheers Clive

I'm setting up my first layout and thinking of going down the DigiTrax route with either Digitrax EVOXD Evolution Express Advanced 5A/8A Duplex Starter Set or Digitrax EVOX Evolution Express Advanced 5A/8A Starter Set. Am I correct in thinking that the latter is the simplex version? If so, what benefits does Duplex offer for the extra 100 pounds(ish) in cost? Clive

I'm setting up my first layout and thinking of going down the DigiTrax route with either Digitrax EVOXD Evolution Express Advanced 5A/8A Duplex Starter Set or Digitrax EVOX Evolution Express Advanced 5A/8A Starter Set. Am I correct in thinking that the latter is the simplex version? If so, what benefits does Duplex offer for the extra 100 pounds(ish) in cost? Clive Think this ison the wrong bit so Ive re done it in the questions section!!!

Phil, That looks fantastic to me! Thankyou so much for that. Yes the extension is 800 x 500 although (#Breaking news!) I've opened up negotiations that could allow this to be increased to 800 x 800! (Still not allowing puppies into the negotiation though!)

@OhOh No problem I got totally lost in that exchange anyway !!

Got a chance to have a play using streamline 100 so I can use electrofrog. Seemed to be going ok until I ran out of baseboard! Also struggling to get any sidings into the Warehouse/industrial area. As this is where most of the shunting will be this is arguably where elctrofrogs would be most useful!

@dungrange Thanks, that's what I thought. Glad I wasn't able to order the track yet! Think I need to slow down a bit and plan more - think that will save hassle later! Cheers

Hope someone is still following this thread! with going for DCC I want to go with electrofrog turnouts. Is there a direct alternative to Peco setrtack turnout that is electrofrog? The electrofrog points I see in streamline seem to have completely different geometry? Does this mean it's back to square one with the layout design?

Hi All, Some of you may have seen the discussions in the layout section about my proposed 8x4 (with an extra bit!) layout - which will look something like the attached pic. It's my first attempt and I would like to make it DCC and have a couple of queries. I've been looking at the Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance2, is this about the right sort of thing for the layout shown or a bit over the top? I'm also thinking about future proofing - just in case I ever get the chance of more space! Also does anyone have any experience of the DCC Autofrogs? I'm thinkning these would be ideal for the reversing loop? Cheers Clive

My concern too! My carpentry skills are basic! I think I'm sticking to just one level for the moment, think there are enough challenges all round without complicating things.

So how high would the raised section for the BLT have to be? I'm thinking with the fiddle yard underneath it would require enough room to handle rolling stock, enable track maintenance etc? Would I gain enough to balance the increase in complexity?

I like that idea. but this is starting to sound complicated!

Hmmm, I see your point. May be I'm being too ambitous for a first attempt! I like the idea of a double entry (!!) with staggered exits. I'll have a think about trying to achieve that.

I did look at this one from CJF but was put off by the second level for the BLT. In the space available that would seem like a pretty steep incline? Some of the incline articles I've read seem to infer that inclines high enough to cross over a rail line are only achievable with long straight runs?

I'm ok with the train length (for now!) With only 8 ft of main board to play with it would be difficult to get longer ones in with credible scene work (I think - sits back and waits for someone to prove me wrong!) Clive

Quite like the idea of Peco to keep buying British, so I'm happy to wait (as long as its not too long!) Never heard of Trix System - I'll google it. Clive

I see what you mean, I see @Zomboid last plan addresses most of these. I'll probably revisit this all again now I've found out I can't get all the track anyway! My idea behind only one track through the tunnel was that I intended the inner track to be going through a 'cutting' with rock faces to the tunnel side, this also gives rise to the variiation in track separation between the outer and inner circuits, and probably some of the other geometry problems I've encountered. Clive

I think this is what I'm going for. There may be some changes made to the terminal station and goods area as it develops! I'm going with a little 'Fluidity' in the design!! And, of course, I've started all this when there is a national shortage of Peco Track!!!!!