Wiring a Block System

SpenceOGR Forum Member

I've got about 40' of track on a 3rd. level to run conventional only. I have 2 blocks wired identically. The engines stop in 1 & when the other engine comes into the block the 1 that was stopped goes ahead. however in the other block I can hear the relay clicking & the lights on the signal change but the engine slows down & doesn't stop. Now if I kill the power altogether & start an engine in that block, then turn the power on the engine will stay there until the other engine approaches the block & then both will take off. I'm stumped & have worked many hours on this. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

6/30/131:43 PM

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billshoffOGR Forum Member

Check out this site: http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowThread?id=410

6/30/131:58 PM

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MoonmanOGR Forum Member

old school, still works. 1954 Lionel pages 35 & 39.

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LIonel 1954.pdf

6/30/134:08 PM

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swavOGR Forum Member

Without looking at the other two answers, it sounds like you left out a block. You need three blocks to run two trains. Train 1 moves into block A, which is dead, but activates block B in which train 2 was waiting. Train 2 moves into block C which is now dead, but activates block A which Train 1 was waiting. Train 1 moves into Block B which is now dead, but activates Block C. Train 2 now moves into Block A which is now dead, but activates Block B. And so it continues. With any number of trains, you need at least 1 more block than trains.

6/30/137:48 PM

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MoonmanOGR Forum Member

I also forgot to mention, your e-unit may be going to neutral in the block. Set them to forward only.

Have you wired it to retain a few volts to prevent the e-unit issue?

6/30/137:56 PM

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Dale HOGR Forum Member

Although it can be done without them, I highly recommend relays,operation will be much smoother without arcing and delays can be made between trains. Also block signals are easy to wire with relays. Shown here

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...=612&categoryId=

Dale H

6/30/138:48 PM

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SpenceOGR Forum Member

Sway: engines are locked in forward.

7/1/139:23 AM

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SpenceOGR Forum Member

Dale: I am using Radio Shack # 276-1146 Full Wave Bridge Rectifier 4amps. 50 volts.

DPDT Plug-in-relay #275-0218

7/1/139:25 AM