A small N-gauge no wiring DCC layout.

[@Anbregour]

What a tidy way of setting up a layout! I shall have to make a note of this for when I build my next layout.

[@petr5971]

Perfect. Congratulations on the idea. I'm amazed. 👍

[@charleswalsh9895]

Excellent layout system. Thank you

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Julian. A fascinating layout and control. Now, that's what I call a real man cave (although I preferred the original surface finish!).

[@MarkWilkinson-ps9cn]

Hi Julian. I’ve been thinking of starting an N gauge set for so long and now seems to be the right time for me. I stumbled across your wireless plan video this evening and I must say, you are a genius! I was so excited to see what you were doing, but then soon realised that for me and my lack of experience, I soon became lost and alas, think I’ll have to stick with the traditional DCC set up, with point motors and endless wiring! Thank you for sharing 👍

[@batman1701able]

Thank you for sharing. I've only just started N gauge last week. I bought some track in order to create a single eight foot oval loop which at least gives me a sense of scale for my potential layout but I don't even have a base board, controller or any even trains at the moment.

[@juliancoles1825]

The baseboard is really simple: 5mm ply strengthened with 18 X 40mm battens. Mounted on two decorators' trestles. The ply I had cut to size at the local DIY shop.

[@leeedsonetwo]

Did not know that you could do this type of stuff, thanks for sharing

[@ngauging]

Julian great video sir! As you can see I run Fleischmann on my layout and even do my videos in both English and German. The Fleischmann track is one of the best on the market imo and can be utilised with the switch turned upside down to hide it's genius. The multi-mouse is brilliant and these days you can even use a tablet/phone. Thanks for sharing your expansive knowledge. Kind regards, Dave B

[@raymondleggs5508]

Tomix Fine Track is also good, same thing with Kato, and the old Arnold self cleaning rail

[@peterheath9002]

very impressive, Julián. good to see you!

[@wasylbakowsky5199]

NCC is SO COOL!

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

Very good Julian, runs beautifully.

[@adolforosado]

Simple and elegant!

[@garyminion9610]

Very cleverly done.

[@djwarren5081]

As Yogi Bear used to say, Because I'm smarter than the average bear. Hey hey hey.

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

Very clever. Thanks. Peter.

[@richardlincoln886]

Perfect - at some point you'd think this simplicity/modularity was the original vision for DCC, to simplify the block based DC setups but somewhere - or perhaps due to scale - that vision was lost.

[@juliancoles1825]

Richard: what surprises me is that nobody else has adopted this no-wiring approach.

[@allanegleston4931]

nice trains and set up.:):):):):): like .

[@odalesaylor]

Fascinating.

[@NitroStarGT]

Wow. Speechless. 👌 👏 👍💪💥😲

[@Madhuntr]

this works good on small layouts. But once you have a certain size and a certain number of locos and other Power users this wont hold up. for me for example i have about 200Meters of track on my Nscale (underground storage yards included) so this would spell big Problems for me because electricty doesnt really like to travel long distances on low Voltage. But small Layouts like this? very nice and good setup

[@juliancoles1825]

Hello Madhuntr - I obviously did not explain myself clearly. There is no limit to the size of layout using this system because you can have as many DCC feeds as necessary to hold up the track voltage. Julian

[@Madhuntr]

@@juliancoles1825 i understand that the goal was to have only 1 feed. But if you go for multiple feeder lines und just integrated decoders obviously yes. this is doable for every size layout

[@juliancoles1825]

Hello Madhuntr - yes, I should have made it clearer that the 'no wires' applies to the accessory wiring! Even on this small layout I have several DCC feeds. Julian

[@bugler75]

Very inspiring Sir. I’ve literally just started my first layout (N Gauge) which isn’t DCC. This is my aim for the future though. Subscribed. Ian

[@kerorogunso961]

Hello, I love this layout design, would you be able to link a picture or the track setup so I can use it for inspiration? Starting work on my own n scale layout and this would help tremendously!

[@LarsPW]

Your reverse loop circuit or - to be precise - its short part of track has got a flaw: What if e.g. two illuminated coaches or a relatively long locomotive bridge it electically on both ends? As far as I know the Fleischmann point motors are specified with only 250 mA (publ. "Fleischmann Tips"), the Fleischmann power packs (and similar devices from other OEMs, they all originate(d) from the Bühler company in Germany) deliver 14 V AC for accessories, there exists a small one with offers 500 mA and a more powerful version with 1 A as maximum current. Even the small power pack must be able to move two point motors at the same time because many model railroaders do so if the two turnouts connect parallel tracks. The more serious flaw will occur when your layout gets older and fishplates connecting the tracks get widened and become more resistive for electricity. The concept of accessory decoders embedded under or in a turnout I have seen at several track systems even for the N gauge, typically the movement of the fishplates is limited by additional mechanical connectors between the balast parts and provide a mecanically more stable connection between the tracks. Märklin goes with its C-track range (gauge H0) even further and does not have any fishplates but electical contacts instead and mechanical connectors in the balast part of its C-track. Fleischmann Profi tracks just rely on its fishplates. Your Fleischmann trains run smoothly, but what if they derail and short the rails? Or when you leave accidentially a tool on the tracks shorting them while activating your central unit? Especially the small gauges are sensitive to large currents. Wheels and their power collection could catch serious damages if the central unit does not turn off its 3,5 A oder 5 A immediately. But if your tracks become more resistant over time this will not happen. I think it is more safe to use a separate pair of wires to feed the tracks and the accessory decoders. It avoids to pull the currents throwing one or two turnouts through the relatively restive tracks and ensures a reliable short circuit protection by your central unit or its boosters.

[@juliancoles1825]

Yes, the reverse loop track has to be longer than all the train's pickups. But that is true for this layout. I have two layouts using the track as the DCC bus - the other one (00 gauge) has 35 points and has always worked correctly. I am a big fan of the simplicity of using the track as the DCC bus and it has always worked for me. Short circuits have always tripped the booster (Z21 or Roco Multimaus). My points always switch correctly, as do the uncouplers.

[@LarsPW]

@@juliancoles1825 I think that the reverse loop electronics should simply turn off the tracks it feeds in a case of being bridged on both ends. Illuminated coaches could get equipped with stay alive capacitors and a large locomotive can rely on its front wheels to proceed. Only a consist with more than two locos and one loco in the middle feeded by the reverse loop electronics alone will not work.

[@silverfaux8545]

Genius! This makes tonnes of sense. Are you manufacturing the PCBs for sale to the public? The overall simplicty is fantastic!

[@juliancoles1825]

Pleased you liked the layout. No I don't sell anything. I can provide the PCB designs to anyone who wants them, but with the waring that they are surface mount PCBs and quite difficult to build.

[@pwilliamssa]

Excellent idea! Do you have a schematic posted anywhere? PCB board files?

[@juliancoles1825]

Philip My designs are documented in the MERG Journals

[@pwilliamssa]

@@juliancoles1825 Thanks! I'm a recent MERG member and I'll take a look.

[@Conn653]

I love this idea. I'm in the U.S. and wondering do you offer these controllers for sale or are they DIY? Will this work for 2 main lines, allowing trains to change from line A to line B etc.?

[@juliancoles1825]

This concept works for any layout. The decoders are my own prototypes. They are all surface mount assemblies - of course. The designs have been published in the MERG Journal. What scale do you work in?

[@Conn653]

@@juliancoles1825 - My layout 'table' will be N-Scale. I have 1 Christmas HO portable layout and will start my Garden Railroad layout this coming spring. At 71, I've got to get something done 🙂

[@darga7281]

Great video. What model number are those 220uf capacitors in your keep alive?

[@juliancoles1825]

Kemet 220uF 16V T491D227K016AT

[@stuartjones2131]

As a recent return-er to the n guage scene after a long break I've just discovered the potential wondererous miracle that is dcc. Sorry to be so nieve but what are tbd MERG journals and where can I find then? Many thanks, love your layout BTW its brilliant. Thanks for all the great info

[@juliancoles1825]

Stuart: Glad you like the layout. MERG is the Model Electronic Railway Group club which you can easily join, and then access all their Journals and loads of other good stuff. They also sell kits for electronic gadgets for model railway control - including of course things for DCC. Look them up on the web.

[@stuartjones2131]

Thankyou I'll look that up and Look forward to seeing what you upload in the future. Take care 🙂

[@GeoffYoung-hx9on]

Hi, couldn't help but notice a rail-joiner next to a point isn't sat right on the point-side?, the instance of which can be found on the outside track at mins & secs 09:30-09:40 😊

[@juliancoles1825]

You are correct! Strangely the trains runs over the joint without derailing.

[@musoseven8218]

Very neat, impressive, what about voltage drop off etc? BTW are the points hardwired? 👍😊 I'm experimenting with RC, but that has issues and I'm not keen on using LiIon batteries. Some locos are not easy to convert to RC (semiconductors are in short supply and certain manufacturers are giving up the fight). I have a DCC set up, Digitrax, it was a present. Digitrax have a power bus and an accessory bus. It's been ages since it's been out of its box. I'm now ill and disabled and my layout has stalled as I'm not able to do a lot of wiring. Your methodology might just fit the bill🤞🤞🤞👍👍👍😊🤔😊 Any advice gratefully received 🤞👍😊

[@juliancoles1825]

Glad you liked it! Voltage drop is not a problem. The voltage does drop by 1 volt when the uncouplers are raised, but that doesn't affect the locos - they have back EMF speed control. I have been careful to ensure all the rail joints are sound - I soldered the fishplates where necessary. BTW are the points hardwired? Hardwired in what sense? Each point decoder can be programmed with a specific address as I describe. I'm now ill and disabled and my layout has stalled as I'm not able to do a lot of wiring. So sorry to hear that - this method could be good for you but I have to admit that the decoders are quite difficult to build.

[@FreizeitBiker]

Hi. I wonder how you avoid a short circuit when using the tracks in the middle? On my Layout it doesnt work. Best regards.

[@juliancoles1825]

I don't understand your question. I describe how to avoid the reverse loop short circuit at 10.40.

[@FreizeitBiker]

@@juliancoles1825 oh sorry. I missed it. Will have a Look at it again. Thank you.

[@alanwhite6293]

@@FreizeitBiker Fit a frog juicer to the rails

[@mikeggg5671]

I missed something - how did you do it without wiring????

[@juliancoles1825]

The accessory decoders are all connected directly to the track which is the DCC bus

[@mikeggg5671]

@@juliancoles1825 so you just have the DCC box wired right to the track, and then you have no independent bus wires?

[@juliancoles1825]

@@mikeggg5671 Mike: No wiring except the DCC power feeds to the track. At 0.53 on the left of the frame you can see the incoming DCC feed from the Multimaus.