Atlas 3 rail blocking and toggle switch hook up

Are you running conventional, TMCC or Legacy and or MTH DCS? Definitely make an outside rail connection wherever you make a center rail connection. 

Thanks Kieth, it's conventional. OK on wiring the common, how do I wire the toggle there are 3 post's.

Sorry, I only run command. I would be guessing if I gave you an answer.

Lee,

Give me a call at Atlas 908-687-0880 ext 7142. I will be glad to help you. I work remotely and if I miss a call leave a message and a good reach telephone number and I will get back to you including weekends.

Steve H

It appears you have switches (K103) with 3 positions.  If I understand what you're trying to do here's my suggestion.  Connect the outer rails throughout. 

The K103 switch then applies center-rail voltage to a controlled block to turn it on.

With K103 in the center position, no voltage is applied to the controlled block.

If one K103 controls one block, then it would be as shown on left.

If one K103 controls two blocks, then it would be as shown on right.  Obviously, in this case, the K103 can only apply voltage is one block or the other....not sure of a scenario where you'd want this restriction though.

Lee: (did not see Stan's reply before writing this)

If I understand you correctly then:

1. If you want to turn power on /off to a block you want SPST toggle switches not SPDT.

2. The SPST toggle switch is only connected to power line. It is a simple on/off switch so there are two posts only.

3. Only the center rail (power) is isolated in the blocks so each block gets its own power feeds. Option - You wire power to the SPST then one wire to a terminal board then fan out wires to various locations on that particular block.

4. Ground is the same for all track (common to all track). Make sure metal joiners are used everywhere on both outside rails and connect ground wires where appropriate. Only exception is if you want to operate an accessory off track voltage then you want an isolated section of one outside rail. The wheel sets on the trucks complete the circuit and operate the accessory.

Assuming the SPDT are on-off-on and not momentary on you could make the SPDT switches work for simple on/off. Just connect two posts - one end and the middle and see what happens. If wired correctly flipping the toggle one direction turns on power. Middle position turns off power and opposite position does nothing. You could connect the third post to another isolated block but then you will only be able to turn on power to one block on at a time (not both).

Joe

The switches bottom left are SPST on-off for track power. The switches top left are SPDT mom/on-off-mom/on for turnout machines. The black boxes are Atlas O SPST (sets of three) I use for accessory lighting.

OK, my intent was to use the toggle as a controller so I could use two power sources. One on for cab A and the other on for cab B. No offense to Atlas but there heavy duty controller for O Scale is to much $$ when there available. I searched this and this toggle was suggested . Maybe I'm suppose to use multiple toggles for one block ??

Thanks for all the reply's

So rather than 1 feeding 2, you have 2 feeding 1.

Thanks, that's what my intent was.. Great help from everyone !!!

Almost forgot, what do I do with the common wire ? split to each transformer ?