Help running Legacy and conventional on the same layout

1.  Start by isolating the two track loops by insulating the rails at the crossover switches on the right side.  Add additional insulators for sidings that you do not want to be constantly powered along with a SPST toggle switch to cut power (important for sidings where conventional locos are stored).

2.  Power.  For Legacy locos, a PowerHouse is recommended for each loop - it provides constant 18 vac to the track.

3.  Conventional control  using the CAB2.   A PowerMaster is recommended for each loop to vary the 18 volts supplied by the PowerHouses.

4.  Running both Legacy and conventional locos on the same loop: Legacy locos will run on less than 18 volts.  You can probably find a balance by setting conventional loco speed with variable track voltage and find the Legacy loco is able to operate OK at lower voltages.  Note that smoke output on locos is reduced at lower voltages.  I add heavy diecast cars to conventional locos so they need a higher voltage to run at a decent speed.  The higher voltage helps Legacy locos operate.  The power interruption for conventional fwd-neutral-rev control will require a Legacy loco on that loop to be restarted.

You could run the entire layout with a single PowerHouse and PowerMaster but having discreet power for each loop is desirable.

You should investigate Lionel's ZW-L transformer as an alternative to PowerHouses and PowerMasters.

@Tracker John posted:

1.  Start by isolating the two track loops by insulating the rails at the crossover switches on the right side.  Add additional insulators for sidings that you do not want to be constantly powered along with a SPST toggle switch to cut power (important for sidings where conventional locos are stored).

2.  Power.  For Legacy locos, a PowerHouse is recommended for each loop - it provides constant 18 vac to the track.

3.  Conventional control  using the CAB2.   A PowerMaster is recommended for each loop to vary the 18 volts supplied by the PowerHouses.

4.  Running both Legacy and conventional locos on the same loop: Legacy locos will run on less than 18 volts.  You can probably find a balance by setting conventional loco speed with variable track voltage and find the Legacy loco is able to operate OK at lower voltages.  Note that smoke output on locos is reduced at lower voltages.  I add heavy diecast cars to conventional locos so they need a higher voltage to run at a decent speed.  The higher voltage helps Legacy locos operate.  The power interruption for conventional fwd-neutral-rev control will require a Legacy loco on that loop to be restarted.

You could run the entire layout with a single PowerHouse and PowerMaster but having discreet power for each loop is desirable.

You should investigate Lionel's ZW-L transformer as an alternative to PowerHouses and PowerMasters.

Thanks for your quick reply Tracker John. so are you saying if I chose the powerhouse/powermaster option I will need one of each for each loop or I can choose to go with a ZW-L?

I built my layout power with Hammond transformers capable of outputting 20A at 18 volts, and TPCs to vary the track voltage.  That's the equivalent of PowerHouses plus Powermasters (which are current off-the-shelf products).  Instant trip magnetic breakers limit each loop to a max of 10 amps and the transformer is fused for 20 amps.  I two loops with a single 20A transformer and a TPC for each loop.  The 10 amp magnetic breakers allow a short in a loop from tripping the upstream breakers in the TPC or transformer so each loop's operation does not affect the other loop.

My club uses a pair of Z4000s to power four power districts (3 loops + yard/programming tracks).  Two districts are powered by each Z4000 and we rely on the Z4000's breaker for power protection.  Unfortunately, when a short occurs on one of the Z4000's output channels shuts off all power output.

Operationally, the biggest problem with sharing a single power source (transformer) with multiple track districts (loops) is a short that trips the transformer's breaker will stop trains on other districts/loops.  The same issue applies to sharing conventional operation from a single power source - the fwd-neutral-rev power interruption affects all locos using that source.  In my club's show operations  a club member causing a short in the yard stops operation on the main line powered by that Z4000.  For a home layout, this may be acceptable.

So, the best practice is to power each loop with its own transformer and PowerMaster.   For a home layout, you can manage with less gear.  A single PowerHouse is sufficient for two or three trains and could power your whole layout.  If the PowerHouse breaker is frequently tripping from overload, you'll have to add a second transformer.  You can add a PowerMaster for each loop for conventional control on an individual loop, or run both loops from a single PowerMaster (I am assuming a single conventional loco is operating).  If you want to control two conventional locos, you'll need two PowerMasters - one for each loop).

I haven't used one, but the ZW-L should provide the equivalent of four PowerMasters in a single device.