Isolated and or insulated track ???

My original reply here is edited to take into account a correction in the following replies from John H and John Korling who rightly point out good reasons for isolating the center rails on a DCS layout.  What remains of my original post here is still relevant.

Reasons to remove the 1-3/8" center rail isolation jumpers would be to create isolated blocks either for signalling or for running multiple locomotives conventionally on the same track (and as pointed out by John H to avoid DCS signal interference).  In the Lionel lexicon, insulated refers to keeping one of the  outer rails in a particular section of track electrically insulated from the other in order to actuate accessories when the train wheels and axles electrically bridge the two outer rails to complete the common (ground) path to that accessory (like for example crossing signals and gates).

Thanks Steve !!!

The safest way, i. e. most dependable way to set up for DCS is to use insulated blocks of ten to twelve track joints per block. This keeps the DCS signal from self interference. You can do this using the 1 3/8" sections sans jumper. I think it is also useful to isolate the sidings with a toggle switch, also using those sections without the jumper, so engines aren't amassing runtime while idle, and lighted cars are not always powered when stored. The DCS Companion is a great reference for any size DCS layout; I highly recommend it.

@John H posted:

The safest way, i. e. most dependable way to set up for DCS is to use insulated blocks of ten to twelve track joints per block. This keeps the DCS signal from self interference. You can do this using the 1 3/8" sections sans jumper. I think it is also useful to isolate the sidings with a toggle switch, also using those sections without the jumper, so engines aren't amassing runtime while idle, and lighted cars are not always powered when stored. The DCS Companion is a great reference for any size DCS layout; I highly recommend it.

I 100% agree with John H, at the very least with your spur tracks.  It will also be useful if in the future you decide to operate any conventional-only locomotives as it will allow you to let them sit on the spurs without the risk of them taking off at full speed causing derailments & collisions due to the higher set & fixed voltage is typically used with command control.

John H and John Korling thank you for the additional insight and clarifications.  I've edited my original reply above to take your suggestions into account.

Thanks again, SteveH

I appreciate all the great info. It is all coming together for me and making perfect sense. I also ordered the DCS Companion book that John had recommended. This really is a great forum.

Thanks again....Bill