[72C]

Baykal,

You can mix code 75 and code 100 without significant problem and for some applications, code 75 supplies the only suitable Peco track formation. Almost all modern wheel profiles will run on code 75 except for all style Trix and Piko but surely these wheels should be replaced anyway?

We should (IMHO) be giving the poster some help for the future and the present.

 

[Robert Stokes]

What's your other question, Breaston? We might as well be getting on with that.

By the way, comment to 72C, although I have recently changed over to peco code 75, I wouldn't recommend it to a newcommer, especially one who says he is going to use lots of Hornby points - rather negates the reason for using it.

 

[breastonstation]

Hi, my other question is:

I have 2 Hornby Select control units to use on 2 different circuits.

Can the 2 circuits cross over each others lines, using cross overs, even though the circuits are not connected to each other? Not sure about doing this anyway but thought I might as well ask...

Thanks again for the comments on track,,,,,,,,,

 

[dwb]

QUOTE You can mix code 75 and code 100 without significant problem and for some applications, code 75 supplies the only suitable Peco track formation. Almost all modern wheel profiles will run on code 75 except for all style Trix and Piko but surely these wheels should be replaced anyway?

We should (IMHO) be giving the poster some help for the future and the present.

Code 75 had already been suggested but Breaston said he was suffering from information overload so we removed code 75 from the equation as it was over complicating matters at this stage.

When he has digested this lot of data and finds he wants electrofrog slips and crossings that's when we can introduce mixing and matching the two. One half of my layout is code 100, the other half code 75.

Maybe Breaston will be so emboldened by his experience that the skips the code 75 stage and goes straight to building his own with a little help from some of the very competent members on this Forum of course

. Just don't ask me.

David

 

[Robert Stokes]

In reply to Breaston's second question, I might be revealing my naivety about DCC here but - isn't the whole point of it that you don't need two controllers for two or more trains at the same time?

 

[Gary]

QUOTE I have 2 Hornby Select control units to use on 2 different circuits.

QUOTE In reply to Breaston's second question, I might be revealing my naivety about DCC here but - isn't the whole point of it that you don't need two controllers for two or more trains at the same time?

True.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with having two isolated and seperately controlled circuits operated with two Select consoles and two transformers, one Select console will control everything as long as the whole layout is powered by one transformer.

If the reason for this is to do with the upper limits of the Select console then why not use an Elite with 2 knobs and more capability to control the whole layout. You can link up the Select to the Elite and use it as a second walkabout controller if it is the intention to have two operators.

Just think of the layout of any size and all its branches off as being one track on which you can run 10 trains at the same time and you won't go far wrong!

You may have two ovals (an inner and outer) and this is still one track if they are linked with points or leads.

You can control a loco shunting in the sidings at the same time as controlling a loco doing 126mph on the mainline. The whole layout is live.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[dwb]

QUOTE on which you can run 10 trains at the same time and you won't go far wrong!

...so long as you know exactly where the emergency stop button is.....

David

 

[72C]

QUOTE I wouldn't recommend it to a newcommer, Why, please expand.

 

[breastonstation]

basically my "rough sketch" isn't how it will be at all. the cross over is just so I can send locos from one side (circuit) to the other where sidings will be, but this should show what i mean, and I do want to use 2 select controlers using 2 power supplies so I can run more having, in theory, 2 layouts in one.

Kyle

 

[34C]

The core idea with DCC is a single master control unit to run a layout, which can have connected to it multiple handsets, and also multiple power supplies. In this way a DCC system is expandable (to the design limits of the particular system) to enable as many operators and locos as required to work on the layout.

The set up as drawn will work perfectly well as two independent layouts, but a problem will arise when attempting to move a loco between the red and black zones, in either direction. Simply, because the two Select units are independent, if the loco is on the 'red' Select, the 'black' Select will not have the information for speed and direction. So on arriving on the 'black' track it will be up to the operator to set matching speed and direction if there is not to be a sudden stop. There may be some problems as the wheels bridged any insulating rail breaks too, but this could be overcome by a switched transfer track. Nothing wrong with choosing to do this, but DCC makes provision for an easier way!

I do not know whether the Select unit has the provision to use one as the master, connecting the second one as a slave. As Gary wrote the Elite does make this provision, acting as the master controller, with the Select units as slave handsets for further operators.

 

[Robert Stokes]

Thank you for including your track plan. If the places where the tracks cross is intended to be on the level, i.e. one does not go over the other on a bridge, then be aware that this is very unlike the real thing in Britain. In fact, if there is a single example of it in this country then I would be interested to know where it is. Of course this may not matter to you.

 

[John Webb]

There is at least one standard-gauge crossing 'on the level' near Newark, where the East Coast main line is crossed by the line from Nottingham to Lincoln.

There is also a replacement crossing installed earlier this year at Portmadoc, where the narrow-gauge Welsh Highland Railway is being rebuilt and crosses the standard-gauge line between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction. The original was removed after the WHR closed down many years ago.

But such crossings are not popular on the prototype because of the mutual interference between the two lines; hence the use of fly-overs or under-passes.

Regards,
John Webb

 

[Gary]

QUOTE But such crossings are not popular on the prototype because of the mutual interference between the two lines; hence the use of fly-overs or under-passes.

Even more so with DCC and the running of multiple trains on the same track.

It will be akin to figure of 8 banger racing at Hendnesford Raceway and would almost certainly lead to a similar result!

Happy modelling
Gary