I didn't want to de-rail another thread where a question was asked about a TPC. I'm in the process of building my 2nd basement layout (the first was damaged by a flood and, in the reconstruction, I had to give up train space to the kids). I'm wondering if the TPC, the block controller, or something else would be better than what I've planned below. I want to operate conventional trains with my CAB-1 via powermasters and my TMCC engines via the command base. I plan to operate accessories and sidings conventionally with hard-wired switches and controllers.
I have a multitude of Post War transformers available but will add diodes as recommended by so many. That all said, here's my power plans.
My track and power plan includes the following:
1. Two parallel L-shaped loops connected to each other at 2 points via switches so trains can move from to/from either loop but insulated/blocked from each other. The "L" has a base of roughly 12' and height of 13'. The outer loop will be powered by a 125W LW with a powermaster. The inner loop will be powered by a 175W TW with a powermaster. I assume I still have to make sure the transformers are in-phase even with the introduction of powermasters
2. The inner loop has two storage sidings connected to it mostly with static displays like a passenger station. I'm planning to isolate these sidings but power them when switched on from the inner loop's transformer since the power demands will be intermittent. In the past, when I ran conventional and TMCC without powermasters, I simply ran a "jumper" wire through a switch from the same transformer to control siding power and plan to do the same, just coming off the powermaster instead of the transformer directly with a jumper wire to the siding. Is that OK?
3. The inner loop also has a working yard with a multitude of post-war accessories, so I'm planning a separate 110W RW transformer and 3rd powermaster for this connected in phase with the TW. Same question/concern there. Can I control power each to siding in the yard separately with jumper wires off the "hot" terminal of the powermaster through a switch, one per siding? Or is that where the "Block Controller" becomes necessary?
4. I'm also planning an elevated level around the "L" connected to nothing else. No switches, no accessories, just a train-running loop using my other 125W LW and a 4th powermaster.
5. One Command Base connected to an outer rail of one of the mainlines.
Thanks for any input.
