Layout Planning Part 3: Wiring & Control - Conventional Or Command? Block or Cab Control?

[@kensbackshop6399]

Awesome video and i always like the betty boop music,,,Ken

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks!

[@EdJennings-m9x]

I like your channel a lot. You do an excellent job of explaining how things work without the use of high-tech jargon. Have you looked into the idea of using "dead rail" for train control system. The idea using a LionChief engine with an onboard power source. Like a battery in the tender of a steam locomotive or in the dummy unit of a diesel set.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

I have read about it, but I haven't tried it

[@Shipwright1918]

Personally opted for conventional myself, layout's an old-fashioned one and really too small to have more than one engine going at one time anyway. The wiring was simple, and a refurbed postwar ZW is more than enough to run the entire layout and all the accessories without breaking a sweat (looks nice up on the control desk too). The really nice part is that every locomotive out there can be run conventionally, the modern ones are backwards compatible (MTH gets the blue ribbon here, you can use all the fancy features even in conventional with a whistle and bell button), so I can run trains from every era of 3 rail O gauge. "Obsolete" just isn't a thing on my road.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Very nice!

[@ken0272]

Can I use uninsulated wire for my neutral bus...it would be under the layout...

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Yes. In fact, it makes things easier.

[@ken0272]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Thanks! Keep up the vids enjoy them very much...

[@ken0272]

Are you considering a video on converting older conventional locos to command control?

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

No. I don't use command control. It's too expensive for my budget.

[@ken0272]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Yeah, I'm in the same place...

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

I am, however, looking into the theory behind using an Arduino to provide speed, direction, and horn/bell functions to conventional locomotives via Bluetooth. This is in the early "theory" stages. I haven't even purchased the Arduino board yet to test the ideas. The conundrum has been finding an appropriate motor control shield to properly control high-amp AC motors. If it works, one could then add sound to the system pretty easily by adding a speaker to the locomotive or a designated "sound car" behind the locomotive as I did in my earlier video. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4O4hIqjncd4bLM)

[@ken0272]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Ok, Arduino now I have more research to do! (fun research)-have you seen the UK train site promoting the use of R/C servos to control points/switches?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2nRm4Nvp8aDbrM

[@ken0272]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks I've seen variable frequency drive used in Industry to control pumps...what I'm not sure about is/was starting the motor under 'load', I don't recall it was an issue...but we normally wouldn't start a pump under full load (you can't really) so the issue never came up. Motors on mechanical systems might be another issue...i.e. they can start under load

[@galoenriquemaldonadofuchs1306]

Hi, I have an O 27 railroad from the fifties with 3 lokos. Iam not good in inglish and worst in electricity. I con not make run them. Only one. I live in Quito Ecuador which makes all more difficult. Is any chance you can help mee with the wiring? How can I send you fotos and videos from my lay out. Thanks in advance.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks for watching! If I understand correctly, one of your three locomotives operates, and two do not. That suggests that the problem is not with layout wiring but with the locomotives themselves. There can be many causes for a locomotive to not run. My first step would be cleaning the wheels and pickup rollers. Next, hook up one wire directly to a pickup roller and a second wire directly to the wheels. With the power on does it light up? Does it hum? Does it do anything? These are the first clues to diagnosing a problem.

[@galoenriquemaldonadofuchs1306]

Hi thank you for answering. The 3 locos do work. The lay out has 4 circuits or tracks and I can make work only one at he same time. I dont know how to separate the tracks.@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks

[@galoenriquemaldonadofuchs1306]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Please help me with some bodies contact who would help with the wiring and ley out. thanks.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

@@galoenriquemaldonadofuchs1306 Send a diagram of your track and a description of your transformer(s) to [e-mail] and I'll see what I can do for you.

[@galoenriquemaldonadofuchs1306]

@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Thanks a lot I will do it.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Command control is expensive unreliable hard to maintain and when things go bad the parts are non existent. The electronics required to convert a typical locomotive generally cost more than what the locomotive is worth. I remember when GCC came about in the 1970s and all the train magazines raved about it like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread 🍞. Never mind that it was difficult to install expensive and had a tendency to go up in smoke. You would also have to rewire your whole layout to accommodate it.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

There is a growing movement in the Command Control community - particularly with DCC - to use more plug-and-play components like Arduino and Raspberry Pi to essentially create DIY command systems. If you have the patience to do the programming, it's getting very affordable.