Hi There,

Hoping Bob Grosh will come across this and help me out a little.  I have lots of questions, but I'll start with the power bus as we're gearing up to bury some cable before the ground freezes.

I like this post in the archives:
http://archive.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27487

In the spirt of what was said there, I'll include the following in my post too:

"WARNING ADVANCED TOPIC" the following information is not needed for the enjoyment of running trains.

The article helped me to know it's possible to wire up a computer controlled layout with transponding and not use block detection.  Now I just need some advice as to how many zones I should use on my layout.  We plan for about 900 feet of mainline, one (maybe two) reversing loops and another 500 feet of yard and sidings.  The whole foot print is about 250' by 50'.

 I'd like some advice as to how many power disctricts and transponding zones we should use.  

I'm guessing from the only information I can find on outdoor transponding (Bob's thread above)  that we'd benefit from 3 to 4 districts of 3 zones each, but what do you think?  I want to use software and transponding together (without detection wiring) to calculate direction and position acurately as in the 'Advanced Topic archive post'

I'd like to place the power supply, station, boosters and BDLs in the shed.  Is that too far away?

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

Hi Josh-

 

A few questions you should be asking yourself when determining power districts, automation layout, etc.:

1.  How many trains do you want to run at one time?

2.  What will be a typical consist?  How many locos per consist?  Which manufacturer's locos will you use?  Are you running passenger traffic?  If so, do you know the lighting load for each passenger coach?

3.  Do you have an automation plan?  In other words, ask yourself how you would like the layout to operate.  (Or will you run the layout manually, using transponding for signalling?)

 

Questions #1 and #2 will help you determine the power requirements for your layout.  If other words, will you need 8A, 10A or 15A boosters? 

 

Also note, the reversing loop and its adjacent tracks should be fed from the same booster. 

 

The transformers, command stations and boosters can remain in the shed.  You will need to run large cross section power feeders to the layout.  Landscaping wire is a good alternative.  It comes in 10/12 AWG sizes.  It's stranded and has a UV-rated jacket.  It's also cheap and readily available.

 

I am sure Bob Grosh can provide answers to your transponding questions.

 

Best regards,

Bob

 

We want to start with 3 or 4 trains.  Mostly A-B-A's for freight and some passenger.  So maybe 10 or 12 USA and Aristo locos max at a time.  I want it to be controlled by user with transponding for helper functions like throw the next switch ahead and collision avoidance.

 

At this point I want to make sure I get the bus wiring done right so I don't have to dig too much stuff up over and over.

 

Josh