How would a person wire a large layout with both Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS? Any material I could read would be a big help.
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Mine is not all that large, but I wired it for DCS first, per Barry's book The DCS Companion following it as closely as possible. The book is now available from the OGR store and will more than pay for itself if you are going to be using DCS and especially with a large layout. I also used OGR wire. Then I added the one signal wire from the Legacy system to all the TIU common outputs going to the track. It's all been working very well like that for the last year and a half. No problems (other than the occasional operator error, of course).
Greg C,
I have just a little more advise to add to RTR's great post, IMO using good 14 Gauge stranded wire has definite signal benefits when wiring a large DCS layout. Further run another Legacy drop to the opposite outside rail, from your out board TIU/Legacy connections. This sets up a strong double Legacy signal for your Legacy engines, and they work perfectly thru out your full layout. Further make sure your TIU & Hand Held Remote Controls are to the latest Rev L upgrades. Definitely use the Block method of wiring, with the 12 Track join discipline, and your DCS/Legacy layout will run with all 10's and have a very strong Legacy signal.
Have fun with your new layout.
PCRR/Dave
