Wiring for MTH and Legacy

I forgot to say but as you can see I am starting brand new to trains. So I would really appreciate the help!! I see how many others that you've helped. I really want to get into this hobby. I am starting to build foam board models and I am good at wood working also. It's the electrical stuff I don't understand

Please help,

Rick 

I first started out with a TRAINmaster kW 115volts and 190 watts with a few rolling stock. Then I was given at a low price on a Legacy base and the small hand held remote that doesn't have the display. Plus I got a Legacy locomotive. Ok I was going to run it on the Lionel 3 rails, that were all metal, then I saw a MTH RTR set witch I bought. That came with a small z-500 power supply and a little remote and a small box that works with the small remote. Well I am getting exited and extended with more Realtrax. Now I am in a big fix!! I haven't started any wiring and don't know where to start!! First I have a roughly 5'x14' layout. One oval on the outside and another on the inside witch is connected. And the one on the inside is connected from one side to the other. Now with all that said and hopefully someone will understand it. I was hoping, with my finances, is it possible to run the wiring for the DCS if or when I get it with the 2 smaller remotes? I would love to have the other ones but shoot I am having trouble with the wiring now. I probably am making it more difficult than what it is. Could you please show me step by step instructions on how to wire?

Thank you so much,

Rick

Trainman101 posted:

I first started out with a TRAINmaster kW 115volts and 190 watts with a few rolling stock. Then I was given at a low price on a Legacy base and the small hand held remote that doesn't have the display. Plus I got a Legacy locomotive. Ok I was going to run it on the Lionel 3 rails, that were all metal, then I saw a MTH RTR set witch I bought. That came with a small z-500 power supply and a little remote and a small box that works with the small remote. Well I am getting exited and extended with more Realtrax. Now I am in a big fix!! I haven't started any wiring and don't know where to start!! First I have a roughly 5'x14' layout. One oval on the outside and another on the inside witch is connected. And the one on the inside is connected from one side to the other. Now with all that said and hopefully someone will understand it. I was hoping, with my finances, is it possible to run the wiring for the DCS if or when I get it with the 2 smaller remotes? I would love to have the other ones but shoot I am having trouble with the wiring now. I probably am making it more difficult than what it is. Could you please show me step by step instructions on how to wire?

Thank you so much,

Rick 

I think you have the DCS Remote Commander. This is DCS, but it is the entry level product and only allows operating one locomotive at a time. I'm not clear what you want to know.

Rick:

Like Keith says it is a little confusing what you are asking.

In general if you want to run Legacy/TMCC and DCS then wire for DCS (star wire pattern). Legacy/TMCC will have no issues with this. Barry Broskowitz's book will help you a great deal.

Basically the star pattern means each power/ground wire group you wire to a track must be the same length. DCS signal travels through the wires. The base sends out commands and receives feedback through the wires. For efficient operation of the signal the wire pairs should be about the same length. Different pairs can be different lengths but the two wires in each pair must be about the same length.

Joe