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I am thinking about simplifying some wiring on my 250+ feet of atlas track .  Before I got into TMCC my layout was half that size and my power is a KW.  It had and still does have several blocks.  I would like to clean up the wiring mess and reduce the blocks to certain sidings.  I have 5 TMCC engines on my layout.  Assuming no blocks, all the tracks are powered, if I address and operate one loco, (I can still hear the other locos in a standby mode), do the non-operating locos draw enough power to affect the power to the operating loco?  What are your recommendations and thoughts? 

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Originally Posted by pennsynut:

 I would like to clean up the wiring mess and reduce the blocks to certain sidings.  

That would be fine, while technically TMCC/legacy does not require any blocks.

 

Its a good idea to have some sidings to park unused locos on with the power removed. This eliminates the risk of damage to parked locos in the event of a freak short circuit or power surge.

Last edited by RickO
Originally Posted by RickO:
Originally Posted by pennsynut:

 

 

Its a good idea to have some sidings to park unused locos on with the power removed. This eliminates the risk of damage to parked locos in the event of a freak short circuit or power surge.

 

Originally Posted by DennisB:

It's also a good idea to have unpowered sidings to store any cars that have lights in them such as cabooses or passenger cars.

Two excellent recommendations.

I would just tie all of the blocks together into one a channel distribution system with the sidings as suggested, with power switches.

 

You need power feeds and common feeds(pairs) every 6 to 10 feet.

 

I also found some nice wire ties at home depot with an eye to screw it onto something.

 

And what RickO and Dennis B said.

 

So, you can eliminate some wire and switches and bundle up and hang as much wire as you can.

 

Happy Holidays!

pennsynut

Keep the mainlines powered but intercept the feeder wire to the center rail of the sidings and install a simple on / off toggle. this way you can control the sidings , save keep your engines truly off and if you have them run a postwar or Williams engine that you can store on the sidings

Steve

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