Help with blocks

Rich,

If you plan to use DCS on an new layout, I suggest that you follow the best practices for wiring a new DCS layout as described in The DCS Companion 3rd Edition.

As regards any toggle switches being required to switch power for DCS vs.  conventional operation, the answer is that you really don't need them. DCS can handle switching between command and conventional operation, or running both together, just fine all by itself.

However, I would suggest instilling toggle switches (SPST are good) on each siding where an engine, command or conventional, or lighted cars will reside. This will limit unnecessary power consumption for non-running engines and lighted cars, and will also keep your PS2/PS3 engine's chronometers from accumulating time.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Just my two cents: Barry is the Guru!  The man! and he helped me getting my huge basement wired DCS.  He has probably forgot more about DCS than I will ever know.  I'm NOT kidding.  But...

I am a years and years long HO guy.  My whole O SCALE layout is wired thru a Star-wiring pattern recommended by DCS BUT through SPDT switches.  It works perfect!  Like you I have conventional stuff and wanted to run the layout the old fashion way with my Z4001 Wireless walkaround conventional only remotes.  I wired the old fashion way for maintaining independent control of individual locos.

My layout works perfectly.  Around a basement with about 50 Blocks.  I just simply wire from a main power supply board from MTH directly to the SPDT and then to the block.  It works.  When I want to run DCS, I simply throw every other block switch the opposite way thereby splitting the power load for the transformers.

Thank you Master Barry and John.  I ordered the book and video, they should be here next week.  I enjoy O gauge much more than I ever anticipated.  My eyes really enjoy it.

If you are planning to run multiple conventional locos, I recommend breaking the main line(s) into shorter blocks, each controlled by a toggle switch, to facilitate operation.  You can then stop a conventional  loco that's catching up to another, or there are several tweaks to the circuitry that can be used to temporarily slow a loco.