I've made some updates to the Wiring For DCC website.  Here's the link to the What's New section:  http://wiringfordcc.com/wirefordcc_toc.htm#a1

Topics include:

1.  Radio Shack has an isle at Hobby Town.
2.  George T. Galyon's HO Turnout Compendium.
3.  Using a command station in booster mode could result in runaway trains.
4.  Using circuit breakers and auto-reversers.

More on the way!  In the meantime, enjoy!

Allan Gartner
Wiring For DCC

Allan,  Thanks for updating "The DCC Bible!"  I truly enjoyed reading the new material. You efforts have made a huge difference in our ability to correctly wire the Amarillo Railroad Museum layout.

To the larger group, our layout invested a lot of our capital in Digitrax PM42 circuit breakers quite a few years back.  However, most seem to be of the opinion that DCCSpecialities PSX-ARFB, specifically equipped with block detection and network feedback as being superior to the PM42s.  Looking at all the data I can find, I have to agree.  But my concern is the price.  We have over 60 blocks on the layout, at the going price (approximately $60), this would take over $3,600.  I wonder if this sort of investment outweighs staying with the PM42s.  

Thanks,

Jerry Michels
Amarillo Railroad Museum

Hi Jerry,

Thank you for the kind words.  And thanks for helping justify the time I spend doing this!  Now that I am retired, I'm getting to spend more time on my website.  Right now, I'm reading Digitrax and NCE manuals to get caught up with the world.

BTW everybody, we've all heard about the new Peco Unifrog turnouts.  I hear they are not in code 83 yet.  When they are, someone drop me a line or post here on this forum if you find out before I do.  I'll buy one right away and will post my findings on my website like I've done for the other Pecos.

I have a PM42 and used it for a long time before I bought a PSX-AR.  I bought the PSX-AR because I found the trip and release points of the PM42 tricky to set.  I could never seem to have something that always worked with all my sound equipped locomotives.

I've never loved the edge card connector. You need to add in the cost of the connector when you are figuring on using a PM42.  If you don't want wires yanking on the edge card connector, I went and ran wires from the edge card connector to a terminal strip where my track bus wires tied in.  You don't have to do this, but if you do, figure in the cost and the time to do this.

That being said, if you are using PM42s and they are working well for you, by all means, keep using them!

Allan Gartner
Wiring For DCC

The only one that seems available right now is the double slips.

https://www.amazon.com/Peco-SL-U8382-Double-Turnout-Unifrog/dp/B01EUACBJ8

I agree. If it works there is no reason to change.
DonV

The Peco Double Slip Unifrog is excellent. It is, indeed, "easy to use and install" (and wire).

I recently purchases four of them as part of my passenger station track complex.

Rich

i think this might be a mistake in pricing here:

https://tonystrains.com/product/peco-sl-u8364-ho-code-83-with-unifrog-6-crossing/

A good buy .

Modeltrainstuff.com has it at $32.99 and Trainmastermodels.com (Buford, GA) has it at $23.37. I shop both these stores on a regular basis.

Yes, the double slip will cost you over $80.

Rich

A lot less if you build your own!

One of the new members of our club, recently from the UK, brought in a Hornby Pendolino set. 

Thanks Theo

Hi Folks!  I am new here and at age 81 decided to get into N scale.  What is the best way to feed turnout position info to Railroad.com software using KATO turnouts with NCE switch kat decoders?                                     
Allan

If you are using the NCE Switch Kat decoders be sure to look at https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200918205-Switch-Kat-for-Kato-Lemaco-or-LGB-remote-control-turnouts. They already have an indicator output. Then substitute in either one or two opto-isolators instead of the LEDs or incandescent lamps shown in the diagrams to indicate the last known turnout position . As other have said, then use the open collector output(s) of the opto-isolators to activate the input(s) of your favorite type of input device to get to Railroad.com software on your PC.

DonV  

Hello,

Can someone recommend a rotary switch for a yard ladder in HO scale?
Thanks
Brett Johnson


--
Brett Johnson

I was able to examine a N-scale Peco Unifrog RH turnout today.

It bears resemblance to Peco's Insulfrog.  It has a small frog made of rail that you could presumably leave unpowered.  Or you can power it with the attached frog wire.  I also like that the stock and closure rails already have a connection between them.  You won't need insulated joiners on the frog rails like you do with the Electrofrog.

I will try to create a diagram and wiring instructions this weekend.  If it doesn't happen, be patient; I have a lot on my plate.

Allan Gartner
Wiring for DCC