How to designate blocks

Trying to understand your question here.  Are you asking how to designate blocks on your track plan using the track planning software or how to determine the length and placement of blocks when you start to lay track?

 

I believe a follow up question should be how do you plan to control your trains while operating them?  If your intent is to use either Legacy or DCS, unless you want to have the ability to cut power to sidings or engine storage tracks, you really don't need blocks. 

 

Curt

 

 

Sorry for being so vague, Juniata.  My idea is to control the trains via DCS, and not have them run into each other or one into the back of another on the layout. I plan to add the blocks as I lay the track. Unfortunately, RR-Track does not have the capability of exporting a picture file of the layout as such. Does anyone know of other layout software that is able to do this?

Ok, now I understand; thanks!

 

Let's assume you want to run two trains in the same direction on the same track.  With DCS, you will independently control both trains from your DCS controller. The remote gives you the ability to either speed up or slow down both trains so as to increase the distance separating them.  And if you want to operate two trains on the same track headed toward each other, the DCS remote gives you the ability to switch one train into a siding and stop it, reline the switch and allow the other train to pass on your mainline.  All this assumes you program your remote to also throw the switches, of course.

 

Frankly, unless you are looking for a failsafe method to automatically cut power to a block to prevent one train from overtaking and running into another, which would involve adding relays, I don't believe you really need to be worrying about independent blocks.

 

Curt

I agree. No need for blocks on a layout that size. 

 

That being said - I would recommend isolating a spur or siding as a separate block so you can use it as a test/programming track.    If folks have passenger cars stored on the layout when not running they frequently isolate that siding as well so the lights in the cars aren't always on.

 

--Greg

OK, that sounds good to me.  It will not only save me money on signals and the like, but I'll have less gray hairs figuring out how to wire that stuff.  I know I'll need Dwarf signals for my switches, so I can concentrate on planning for those.

You can convert a RR track plan and post it here. You have to export it then convert to jpg file, but it can be done fairly quick.

I agree with what Greg said, either add a siding or passing lane or both that are insulated from the main loop so that you can "park" a train or some passenger cars. It gives you more options for your trains.

I don't generally promote stuff here and it's not my book. But by any chance do you have a copy of Barry Broskowitz book on DCS?

If not it could be very useful if you are not familiar with the DCS wiring. Just a thought. Good luck with your project.
Larry

Larry,

 

Thanks for the plug!  

 

 

Ryman,

 

Track blocks in DCS are very important in order to maximize DCS signal strength.

 

While DCS is more tolerant of different wiring schemes and track topology than it is generally thought to be, it will work best if star/home run wiring, along with track blocks, is used when the layout is initially built.

 

For a complete and detailed discussion of how to wire a new layout for DCS operation, refer to The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition, Part III - DCS Implementation, 1. Planning For a New DCS Layout on pages 54-67.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

I do have a number of books on O-Gauge Model Railroading:

Realistic Modeling for Toy Trains -- A Hi-Rail Guide (Dennis Brennan)

      I bought this book (autographed copy) along with some of his ballast.

 

Wiring Handbook for Toy Trains (Ray Plummer)

      Deals with basic wiring (conventional).  Intended for non-DCS layouts.       (Recommended by Dennis Brennan in his book.)

 

Command Control for Toy Trains (Neil Besougloff, rev. Carl Swanson)

      Shows both Lionel Legacy and TMCC, as well as MTH DCS wiring.  Also recommended by Dennis Brennan.

 

As always, i do have room for more books (like Barry's), it will be a second view on DCS.  

I would also recommend Barry's book, there is a vast amount of DCS info in there and it will also be a handy reference for years to come while using your DCS system. Also, as you can see, Barry provides a lot of additional help here on the forum with DCS questions and problems.

 

You can also post your RR-Track file as it is, a lot of folks here have RR-Track. For all to be able to see it, Laidoffsick's method would be the best. 

Many thanks for all advice.  I'm posting a RR-Track file of the lower level.  A few words of explanation are in order.  The lower yard (with three tracks) will be part of a breaker model I am building.  A local coal breaker was recently demolished and I wanted to incorporate that in my layout.  The track on the far right is a 3% grade (I tried to make it as small as possible) leading up to the upper level.  The outer loop is O-54, and the inner loop is O-45, making this level about 10' by 16' (not counting the Breaker)

 

Glenn

Ryman,

 

All false modesty aside, all three of the books you listed combined don't have 10% percent of the DCS information in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition.

Which is why I do plan on getting yours.   As soon as I get more moolah in the account, that is.  

 

Glenn

Glenn, wise move.  Once you get Barry's book everything else will become your "second book".

 

Actually, Barry's book is all you really need, IMO.  Smart choice with DCS!

Ok; I will yield on the necessity of blocks.  Barry literally "wrote the book" on DCS and if he says blocks are necessary, they are.

Curt

Good news!  I ordered Barry's book and it will be in around the 8th of July.  In the meantime, I can work on my Huber Breaker model (the actual breaker was in Ashley, PA which is not too far from my house).  I'm including some pics of the model as I'm going.  It is actual 1/48 scale, but still looks huge.

 

Glenn

WB:

One further thought - don't abandon blocks. You can use them on all sidings so you can have the capability to turn power on/off on each. Even though you will be running command control it is still a good idea to turn power off on locos or cars like passenger cars with lighting not in use to save on power drain and bulb life.

Joe

I received a book in the mail today, written by some guy named Barry B.  Wonder what it could be?  Now to really get into DCS from the Master himself.

 

Glenn

Hello everyone,  I've been reading Barry's book on DCS (and enjoying it, I might add).  I've started to break down the layout into blocks, but I'm confused in the two yards.  I have each leg of the yard as a separate block (that's 7 total) going to one channel on the TIU.  So far so good.  My concern is the short distances between the switches in each yard.  The same principle might be said for the short runs on the inner mainline as well.  Can I include each of the yard leads (with switches) as a separate block?

 

Glenn

Maybe this will help. Yes, I have re-designed the reversing loops from the previous file.  The yards are my question.

Glenn,

Can I include each of the yard leads (with switches) as a separate block?

Yes, you can.