Hi everyone. I'm finally moving ahead with my layout. I'm using gargraves track and ross switches.
I've searched the forum and elsewhere by can't seem to locate the answer to this question - where is the best place to begin and end wiring blocks. Mine will be about 8-10 feet per block, with my wiring in an MTH type star pattern (all home runs to the terminal block.)
Is there any downside to starting them and ending them at switches?
Thanks for any help!
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Switches are the easiest and most used spot.
Most of mine start at a turnout using the natural break in the rails. I also use Ross turnouts. Not sure though how the Ross ready switches are wired up. When I built mine. These weren’t an option.
Switches. For conventional operation, you put breaks, at the ends of sections where you plan to operate trains. Power is sent to each electrically isolated section (block) either manually or automatically to allow controlled operation of individual trains.
Sounds like you are planning on running DCS? For that I don't have a clue. I guess you can call the wiring drops, "blocks". Although I suspect DCS was based on being able to convert a conventional Block operated layout without having to start over.
Keep in mind Barry's DCS recommendation of 10 to 12 track joints per block. I put the drops midway, and have had no DCS problems.
Thank you all for your input. I will put the breaks at switches, except for my very long (for me) mainline runs.
I have Barry's books and will remember his advice - though in 10 feet I will only have 3 gargraves track sections in parts of the layout. When I finally hook up DCS, I am concerned about the DCS signal if I have almost 30 feet of track in a block.
Are my concerns overblown?
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