Hi All,
I am finishing up the benchwork for my O scale layout and am getting ready to run bus wires and feeders. I have a few questions that hopefully you guys with more experience can help out with.
Atlas O track is being used with a single 180W Lionel Powerhouse Brick. Cab2 base and remote. The layout is two levels, with the lower level slowly climbing a grade to meet the top level. Currently I am wiring and finishing the top level before I do the lower level. Each level has about 65’ of track.
I have seen Lionel’s how to videos where the mention track like Atlas O, Gargraves, Ross, needs to have a jumper between the outside rails so the signal from the Cab2 is stronger and creates a cross hatch signal around the track. Since the outside rails on Atlas O are not tied together electrically, How often should I add a jumper? On each piece of track or how many feet around each level?
I plan on adding blocks within each level in case I ever run into electrical issues. I know blocks are typically used for sidings and various levels of track, but any reason you would not also want to break your mainline up into various blocks as well? This way if there is an issue on one corner or one long straightaway, it is easy to isolate.
My final question is, can a single 180W Powerhouse brick power both and upper level and lower level temporarily? I would think the ideal scenario would be have the upper level and lower level broken out in separate blocks and having a separate Brick powering both, but could the same Brick power both until I get another Powerhouse or is that not recommended?
Thank you,
Anthony
