I have two questions related to layout wiring for DCS.
For background, I'm currently building a new layout whose main section will be 7 feet X 21 feet in size. A Z-4000 transformer will power the tracks with a refurbished post-war ZW powering the accessories and Ross switches. A couple of small "add-on" sections will be added in a couple of years, but they're just on the proverbial "drawing board" for now. My last layout, built in 2006, was 6 X 15 feet, used DCS with star wiring and always had a "10" DCS signal according to the DCS remote control. This week's primary layout task will be "dry fitting" the track and switches to make sure I have all needed for the track plan.
Here's the layout plan followed by my two questions:
Question 1: I plan to divide the tracks into separate power blocks with plastic insulating pints as shown by the red dots on the layout drawing. I'll also have an insulating pin on the center rail where the two loops are joined by turnouts. I will have a power clip on the track section with the insulating pin which will be wired back to the MTH terminal block. I seem to remember from 2006 some posting or reference stating DCS requires a continuous outer rail for the ground. Is this correct?
Question 2: I have two MTH PRR-style signal bridges which I plan to install across the two mainlines, one on the front of the layout and one on the back. I used Lionel infra-red signal actuators last time which worked okay, but I'd like to simplify things a bit this time around. How could I use the old style "insulated rail" approach to change the signal to indicate block occupancy for maybe two power blocks without fouling up anything related to the DCS signal?
Thank you.
