Wiring with ZW C

You do want to isolate the loops. I would not suggest tying them electrically with a switch. If you run conventional just set both sides “close “

This will allow one transformer to control the inner loop and the other to control the outer loop.

When I move trains between the loops I will have to use one side of the controller on the ZW.  After moving the trains I can once again isolate the loops and go back to using both sides of the ZW. Just looking for opinions before I begin laying track and wiring. Thanks.

Do not connect the loops with a switch for the inside rail.  Common (U) on the ZWC will go to the outside rails of both inner and outer loops.  Connect the A channel to the inside rail of one loop.  Connect the D channel to the inside rail of the other loop.  Separate the two loops by using a fiber pin on the inside rail so the inside rails for each loop are NEVER connected.  If you want to run conventional, once a train passes from one block to the other, you use the corresponding handle to control the train.  There will be a minor spark as the train crosses from one block to the next but the transformer can handle this.

If you were to wire in a connecting switch between the two middle rails, you run the risk of connecting them when both channels are powered.  This could blow the transformer circuit board.

The ZW-C has a feature where you can configure it to have just one handle control all four channels.  If you set it in this mode, you can just use the one handle to control all your blocks.  Then running conventional is really easy if you just want to run one train through all the blocks.  I would use this feature instead.  Turn the feature off when you want to run two trains (one in each block) so you can control them with their respective handle.

Thanks for the response. Regarding your first suggestion I will be using Fastrack and will have the 1 3/8 insulated tracks between the loops. I could disconnect the wires under the track which will serve the same purpose as the fiber pin, correct? That is where I was planning to use the toggle switches but I sure don’t want to risk blowing the transformer. I may do your second suggestion and possibly go with Lionchief or legacy in combo with conventional. 

I’m one of those guys who have had train stuff sitting on the shelves for years and now that I am retired and have a place with a large basement I’m finally building myself a layout. I appreciate all the advice I’m getting from this website.

I would use the FasTrack insulted section, with the wire removed, and wire each handle to each loop.  Then when you move a train between the loops just make sure the handles are set the same and you will be just fine.  No switch is needed.  And this will work for conventional, Legacy/TMCC, and LionChief.

Attached is a photo showing the set up described by Sinclair.

The 1 3/8"  insulated sections are a little hard to see, but they're there with the wire removed and no issues. On my set-up, each loop is powered independently by one of the handles on my Z-4000.

Very similar to my plan. Thanks.