DCS vs Block

Steve,

However, if (and when) I upgrade to full DCS, is not the "block" wiring not required. 

It's not required, however, it will yield excellent results with DCS and is highly recommended.

 My understanding is that with DCS, you can individually control multiple trains on a layout without special wiring.

That is absolutely correct!

 This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

Steve C,

   If you are going down the DCS route with your layout, I highly recommend

the OGR DCS Video Guide and Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd addition.

Rich Melvin does a great visual education in the video and Barry's books is just incredible, I use it track side all the time.  Save yourself a lot of trouble and

watch the Video and read Barry's book before you start building your DCS layout.

They are both worth every penny you invest.

PCRR/Dave

Barry, Dave - Thanks.  I will be going down the DCS route but I am first going to do a Christmas layout by expanding the R-T-R set and only run one train on it.  So the DCS remote commander that came with the set will be totally satisfactory.

For the "layout", I plan on going DCS with mainly MTH equipment but using Lionel's FasTrack for the track.  At that point, the two publications you mention will be acquired.  I've found in the past that having more information then you will ever need is not a bad thing and the cost of "fixing" things will always be more than doing it right the first time.

Steve

Steve,

   The DCS works fantastic on FasTrack you will be more than satisfied with setting up a DCS layout with it.  I use old Lionel 711 & early 072 switches with my FasTrack

because they accommodate my Tin Plate trains and operate correctly all the time.

If you just run modern trains the FasTrack switches are great also.

PCRR/Dave

Steve, why not do both.  I expanded three RTR sets so wanted three power districts (for each transformer), I knew I wanted to put in the DCS and needed to install a couple of toggles anyway isolate the different loops.  I planned on dropping wires for track power so figured adding some for blocks wouldn't be that much more work.

Im really glad I did, they are great for adding engines into DCS, putting trains on/off the track, troubleshooting or just power down a siding or mainline for different reasons and not shutting down a district.

Our layout is pretty small and I used the Realtrax, the non-derailing switches we're necessary for reversing loops.  I'll attach a picture of the toggle switches (shows the blocks).  Red loop, green loop and orange loop districts. 

Well now you have me thinking.  I like the idea of being able to isolate a section for adding trains and troubleshooting.  That in itself is worth adding a block.

The Christmas layout will have a reversing loop but the entire layout will be small, 4x6.  You mentioned non-derailing switches.  I was planning on just using the "standard" RealTrax switches from MTH.  Is there an inherent problem I'm missing?

Steve

Steve,

RealTrax switches include automatic non-derailing operation without any additional wiring.

Thanks Barry.  I'm in the process of gathering (i.e. purchasing) the additional track.  The layout will be 4x6 and include a reversing loop and a siding.

Steve

Steve,

   Barry is correct, the RealTrax switches are very nice for modern trains also.

They work correctly and have no inherent problems, and have a built in anti-derail

function.  Wish like heck the new RealTrax & FasTrack switches worked better with my Tin Plate trians, cause I really like both of them, they are engineered for low voltage also.

PCRR/Dave

Steve;

I have a layout using RealTrax and have no issues for the most part.

I will warn you about something lots of smoke has passed about.

RealTrax and Fastrack are NOISY. It's from the plastic roadbed acting like a speaker cone for the tracks.

Lay the track on a sound deadening surface for best results. Do not screw into the wood under it.

I recommend Celotex Soundstop, it's an engineered sound baffle material for housing.

It is not structurally sound, don't try to pick up a sheet by a edge or corner, it will break.

Some folks use quiet brace, I suspect it is a similar material by a competitor.

At least up here in the frozen north Soundstop is lower cost than homosote.

And welcome to DCS !

I agree, it is pretty noisy.  I did run on plywood surface and thought wow, that's loud!  Then I added the homosote and it made it better, then I painted the homosote and it made it slightly louder again...  I was clued in by an experienced forum member about an inexspensive and simple solution.  Home Depot has adhesive foam tape in a 25' roll, in the HVAC isle.  Anyway, I layed that stuff down and was quieter than ever before.  When I was finished wiring and about to start scenery I screwed the track down which even helped more.  The track pinched the foam flat, I shaved the edges before ballasting.  Here is a picture.  

https://ogrforum.com/f...ge/true/Homosote.jpg

Dave - Thanks.  For the Christmas layout I plan on using track voltage for the switches and uncoupler sections.  I don't think that will be a problem.

Russell - I haven't decided on the construction materials for the "main" layout.  For the Christmas layout I was planning on using a piece of 1" thick, blue, Dow, styrofoam insulation board for the layout.  I was going to paint that white and cover it with white batting for snow.  And then I was going to anchor the track to that using drywall plugs for the screws.  I don't know if this is going to work but that is the plan.  Thanks for the welcome.  This is a pretty nice forum with a lot a great people posting.

litegide24 - that is a great suggestion for the "main" layout.  I built an HO layout almost 30 yrs ago (ugh) and even with cork ballast it was fairly noisy.  I'm hoping the foam and batting on the Christmas layout dampen the noise some.

Steve C,

   I do not know what litegide24 is or how well it works, I will need to check this out.

However I use felt then cover it with a cheap piece of green or gray indoor/outdoor carpet and the noise level from my FasTrack Christmas layout in the living room is really quite quiet.  Even with the additional, inside RealTrax oval this year, and running both trains at the same time, the noise level was always decently low. 

Welcome to DCS. 

PCRR/Dave

Dave - Thanks.  I like your layout.  The one I'm proposing will be about the same size with a tabletop tree located to one side just as yours is.

I don't know who litegide24 is either nor do I know how well he/she works.  But don't look too far, litegide24 is just the "handle" for one of the posters in this thread.  If I knew their name, I would have used it in my reply.  Sorry for the confusion.

Steve

Steve,

   I did not notice the handle and the confusion was my own fault,

the little living room Christmas layout came out real nice this year, glad you liked it.

If you are planning on using FasTrack or RealTrax definitely plan on noise supression of some kind, my big FasTrack layout was very loud in our game room without it.

PCRR/Dave

Part of the game room multi level FasTrack layout without noise supression.

Phil,

   Dewey knows his stuff, I will need to check this out some time myself if it's still available at the Depot.

PCRR/Dave