POWERING MY LAYOUT

A better question might be: What type engines do you hope to run in this space? What is a lot of turf in 3 rail is not so much in 2 rail. 2R curves are measured as radii, 3R is in diameters.

Simon

I plan to run mostly diesel power, geeps mostly and maybe U boat size locos. My curves are 36" radius and in some areas higher. There may be an occasional "backwards excursion" of a more modern diesel.

Now that I have thoroughly made things even more confusing, any suggestions?

Dave

luvindemtrains posted:

I plan to run mostly diesel power, geeps mostly and maybe U boat size locos. My curves are 36" radius and in some areas higher. There may be an occasional "backwards excursion" of a more modern diesel.

Now that I have thoroughly made things even more confusing, any suggestions?

Dave

I was hoping you weren't going to say UP Big Boys, LOL! The larger your radius, the better off you will be. Six axle diesels might prove troublesome on the 36" radius. The longer engines and cars will look "sillier" on the sharper radius curves.

What I think is the up and coming thing in power is RC Battery. No track wiring, and no track cleaning necessary. If you search there are several posts regarding it on this forum and a guy named Bob Delbridge that models Seaboard and posts here quite a bit uses it.

Simon

I have a switching layout were I use a basic DDC system, NCE. I use their starter set for HO. It is a 2 amp system and all but 2 locos run 1/2 amp or less. Besides it is 4' x 16' east and west 4 or 5 cars at at time.

Dick

Simon, I appreciate the advise. I don't think I will go the Big Boy route. I will save that for my 3 Rail section. 

Dick, first of all thanks for all that you have done to serve and protect. Also thanks for letting me know how NCE DCC is working for you. From what I understand there are also boosters you can purchase to support more amperage.

Dave

John,

No more than 2 engines at a time. As a matter of fact one engine running and the other awaiting clearance coming off turntable from engine house. Though there is a loop of track for this section of my layout, I will use the 2 rail to do some switching. Thanks for the advice on the circuit protection.

What size is your layout? Any pics?

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave, I might have something right down your alley! I used it on my old 2 rail system before I switched to 3 rail and DCS! I will dig it out and take some photos for you!

mike g. posted:

Hi Dave, I might have something right down your alley! I used it on my old 2 rail system before I switched to 3 rail and DCS! I will dig it out and take some photos for you!

YES...LET ME KNOW!

jgtrh62 posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

John,

No more than 2 engines at a time. As a matter of fact one engine running and the other awaiting clearance coming off turntable from engine house. Though there is a loop of track for this section of my layout, I will use the 2 rail to do some switching. Thanks for the advice on the circuit protection.

What size is your layout? Any pics?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, I moved into this home in early June so I have a long way to go. The layout is P48, modular, shelf style and eventually will be a folded dogbone point to point operation. It will occupy an area approximately 43’x27’ when complete of which I currently have approximately 50’ of benchwork installed. Here’s a few snippets of my progress, some of which I may have posted previously, so I apologize in advance if so until I can take some updated photos.The track furthest to the left in the above photo is an 8’ section of O scale test track, other than that everything else is P48. The shot below is of the pit in the locomotive servicing facility.

Here's a short video clip of the trestle area above with a little more scenery installed.

John,

All I can say is wow! What you have done thus far is fabulous. I know the more finished product will be top tier. I have seen the pics and vids before but something like this is worth seeing multiple times. I appreciate you taking the time to upload these.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, here is a link of what I have. I had it for sale on the forum awhile back!

https://ogrforum.com/...ss-and-power-booster

36 inch radius is pretty sharp for 2 rail.    I think you need to think mostly of 40 ft cars and smaller 2 axle diesels.    

As for power, you could go cheap and straight DC.   Get a power pack rated at 2-3 amps and run plain DC.    You need kill switches to park the second engine but your cost is really low.

As for DCC, you probably only need whatever a "starter" system includes plus for some you need to add a transformer.    Most of these systems come with a command station, a booster (maybe these 2 in one unit as in Digitrax) and a throttle.    Some include transformers and some do not.      Both Digitrax and NCE have 5 amp basic systems which would be plenty for your needs.   The throttles that come with the systems are the master throttles that can do everything in the system.   An option might be to buy a second "engineer" throttle or whatever the mfg calls their smaller throttle that lets you run locos and use all the functions but not do any programming.    These are smaller to hold and easier to use.

PRRJIM,

Thanks for the several suggestions. This is very helpful.

Dave

mike g. posted:

Dave, here is a link of what I have. I had it for sale on the forum awhile back!

https://ogrforum.com/...ss-and-power-booster

Mike,

Is everything included all I need to run trains or would I need to add anything?

Dave

Hi Dave everything is there, you can email me for more information if you would like!or you can privet message me.

My last thought is, you might want to take a serious look at Remote Control Battery Power before you make a final choice.

Simon

You got it! I'll be keeping a look out for your updates and again thanks for taking your precious time to give me some sound advice.

Dave