New build

[AndyH]

Thanks puddles, looks very good and I'll check the details out thanks.

For the time being I'm just installing 3 "droppers" to the outer, inner and sidings to allow testing.

I have had it working with one train driven from outer to inner to sidings just by hooking cable in the track but not very reliable.

I do have some irj the frogs I'm using are dead self isolating anyway though so not sure if they need isolating as well?

[Stese]

Yes if you want to prevent polarity/shorting issues, you'll want to have your frog/vee rails on all your points on IRJ's.

also ensure that your power feeds are at the trailing end of the points.

[AndyH]

Sorry, so just to clarify, even if the points are self isolating plastic vees not elecrtofrogs, I still need irjs on the point ends?

And I need power feeds going in to the tip end closest to the tie bar.

So far I have 3 droppers just about installed one at the outer loop first point on the right, a second on the inner loop also at the first point on right of the inner loop and a 3rd on the first point leading to the sidings more central.

I have tested it a bit and I have power to the 2 loops and the sidings to the left. I have also got 3 simple Hornby green on/off switches wired up to each of 3 power feeds which works. I'm not sure where to best place these 3 switches or best config for the twin controller I have?

I haven't yet got power to the track down the sides and back (under the window) or to the sidings on the right.

[Brian]

On a DC layout you only need to fit IRJs to Insulated frog points where one point leads onto another controllers section i.e. on a cross-over pair of points where line 1 is on one controller and line 2 is on another controller. Fitting two IRJs in the cross-over rails in place of the metal joiners will isolate the two lines and their controllers from each other. An example is shown in "The Basic Train Set 3" layout here... https://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electri ... #Bookmark1

The only other places IRJs are used on a DC layout is where isolating sections are required to hold locos isolated while another loco moves further around the same track. i.e. in a station platform or at the end portion of a siding and here the IRJ in one rail is position back from the buffer stops by a full locos length and a little bit more. The isolated section is controlled by a simple On/Off switch which then feeds controller power to the isolated rail as required.

[AndyH]

Ah thanks Brian, I really will look at your website on the pc when I get the chance. I was struggling a little trying to follow the wiring diagram in the newcomers guide but these look easier to follow.

If I have a cross over either side as a passing point as well do I need to do same for both crossovers?

[Brian]

Ah thanks Brian, I really will look at your website on the pc when I get the chance. I was struggling a little trying to follow the wiring diagram in the newcomers guide but these look easier to follow.

If I have a cross over either side as a passing point as well do I need to do same for both crossovers?

Only if the crossover connects one controller to another.

[AndyH]

Ah ok thanks.

Whilst I was working on the wiring, I've been looking at the track and wasn't happy with the ovals and back under window being too close to walls and the other track. I decided to shrink it a little to give more clearance all round.

I've been pondering why it doesn't look/seem right so I drew it out on Anyrail and fits perfectly. I came to lay it and couldn't get it to join together.

I've ended up adding one extra small piece not needed when I drew on Anyrail, and that is an R610 on the end of the left point to complete the ovals. It looks much better, but I don't understand why I've had to use this extra piece and only on one side?

[Walkingthedog]

Are the points the same length?

[AndyH]

This is the other side with out the R610 short straight

[AndyH]

Yes, I compiled a list of each individual piece before laying track back down. It's just strange. I've spent ages trying to get it to fit as well.