Why Blocks: The case for electrically dividing a layout into parts...

Please subscribe. TEXT FROM VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW: The purpose of this video is twofold: first it explains the need for “Blocks” on your model railroad; even if you have or will have a command control system. Secondly, a simple wiring method for Block wiring is shown/demonstrated on the video.
This wiring method will work for either 2 rail or 3 rail track and it will work on either AC or DC; according to your specific requirements.
What is a “Block?” A Block is a section of track that has been electrical isolated from all other sections/Blocks of track. In essence, each individual Block is its own independent/separate layout. NOTE: it is physically possible for a train to transfer itself between Blocks without interruption. The rails may be divided by leaving out a rail joiner, a rail pin, or physically cutting a rail leaving a minuscule gap.
The MAJOR and most critical reason for using Blocks on a model railroad that has a command control system is so that WHEN you experience an electrical issue, please notice that I didn't say: “If,” you will have the ability to trace the electrical issue much more efficiently and quickly. Searching for an electrical issue on a large layout that doesn't have Blocks would be like looking for a needle in a haystack!
With the invention of command control systems came the proclamation that Blocks were no longer necessary! It would be much easier with far less wiring and toggle switches to maintain independent control over multiple engines on the same layout with a command system. Technically, that is true and one heck of a sales pitch! The reality is that is an incredibly BAD idea to NOT have Blocks.

[@Guytrains]

Very educational

[@danielandrews8858]

Granted, this is a very informational video, BUT, it really SUX that there is not a single drawing, graph, photo, or anything else that would add some sort of visual aid to describe what is being said. During the entire presentation, the only visual aid is the same picture, before, during, and after, anything is said the only visual aid is the same picture during the entire presentation. To be honest, what could very well have been a very informational aid resulted in nothing more than a waste of time. TL-DR.

[@conniecoy7404]

Thank you for the positive comments. LOL Fortunately, I get many more appreciative people.

[@thunderbolt8582]

The narrative in this video is very good. being a veteran of wiring track plans, I understood what you were saying. HOWEVER, you make several references to blocks and switches, but there are NO supporting photos to demonstrate your concepts. So for a beginner, this will be a very difficult video to learn from. Just a thought for you.

[@theglacierline2660]

Good thoughts. Put one together. Paste it in the comments here.

[@harrisonaard1]

@@theglacierline2660 Switch, and switch. What are you talking about (aboot for the canadians ;-) ) I understood some, but then it became confused and confuddled. I'm going elsewhere. I'm sure that you know what you are talking abou/ot, but the rest of us do not.

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Thank you for the great idea. I subscribed. Joe's train world videos

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Thank you. This is really helpful as I am electrically challenged. Lol. I Liked and subbed. 👍 David

[@theglacierline2660]

Thx.

[@theglacierline2660]

THANK YOU TONY

[@brianmoretti6480]

How do you run 2.0 trains on the A and D cause it’s variable power

[@brianmoretti6480]

How do you use A to power a loop of track it’s variable power when I change it to fixed power it messes everything up explain how I can get a like you show on your video to run with the fixed voltage one and fixed voltage to without causing any other shorts because I get shorts every time I do that

[@theglacierline2660]

Selectors are made by Atlas. What these are our electrical toggle switches. These have three positions. The top position is for Transformer a. The middle position is power completely off. The bottom position is for Transformer be. Having a toggle switch like this in various sections of your track allows you to pick what Transformer you want to power it or completely turn the power off to the section. There are advantages in doing this. The video explains that. Please Google Atlas selector. It is an electrical panel which contains four separate spdt switches. Spdt meaning single pole double throw.

[@theglacierline2660]

Yes. The Lionel system just plugs into the tiu. The Lionel system sends its signal through the outside negative rails. The MTH system sends the signal on the middle rail. They do not affect one another.

[@andy41417]

some Lionel Command engines may impede DCS reading in an MTH engine. Put the offending engines in a block or put a 22 mf capacitor in the offending Lionel engines power supply. I prefer blocks to de power engines not used.

[@gntlmn1956]

Somewhat of a nice video, and also being a veteran of wiring up a layout, I think there is much room for improvement here. You mentioned a simple oval of track in the video. So why not SHOW a simple oval of track, and the selectors that you mentioned, to much better demonstrate what your talking about. I believe that someone who is a beginner in the hobby, would be much more confused about wiring, after viewing this video.

[@theglacierline2660]

I welcome you to do a video. Good ideas.

[@davehunt5766]

TIU? What is that unit and where do you find one? Thanks Dave

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Hi the video is great I have two main lines do I need a terminal block for each main line because I'm running so many feeders on each main line the wireing is driving me crazy it's for kato nscale I'm running dc duel controller tech 7 right now but getting ready for dcc soon I like to run both because I have dc and dcc locomotives

[@paulsmith1899]

My trainlayout is in four seperate powered divisions. When a long articulated straddles the division gaps it sends a power surge and trips the circuit breaker. Any suggestion would be of help for I suspect you may have seen this. The layout is wired with dcs style running legacy engines. No short occurs if I run the engine fast or use smaller engines ie. diesels. Stuck in sierras 1953 thanks

[@conniecoy7404]

Sorry. Never had that happen. I have engines that temporarily "jump" power from one transformer to the next, but all our Z4000s set to 18 volts. Maybe your track power has different waves? Lionel transformers? Different transformers?

[@paulblaisebutler8003]

Selectors? What are you referring to?

[@theglacierline2660]

You do not need to terminal blocks. But I would not run a bunch of feeder wires as you're saying you're going to do. You need to buy some Atlas selectors. You just run one wire from an atlas selector to each one of your blocks. Don't make any of your blocks any more than 20 total feet long. That way you will not need jumper wires.

[@danlevay5657]

Uh. New to this. What is a jumper wire?

[@theglacierline2660]

@@danlevay5657 a "jumper wire" connects one section of track to another. For example, if you ran a great big circle of track and just ran two wires to it one positive and one negative near your Transformer the train would probably lose power at the point farthest away from where you connected your wires to the track. You could use jumper wires and connect a second connection to your track at the farthest point away on the circle so the engine could easily pick up the full power of the transformer. Hope that is a good explanation.

[@danlevay5657]

@@theglacierline2660 yes. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@danlevay5657]

@@theglacierline2660 I bought a second transformer, an Atlas #215 selector, and two 4805 distribution boards. I also plan on using a combination of tortoises and Atlas solenoids for five track switches. I’m going to have an inner oval interacting with an outer oval main line. Probably a total number of 40 feet. Here’s my question. Do I run the transformers to the distribution boards to the selectors, or do I go to the selectors first?. If I do the former, I think I would wire the tortoises off one of the distribution boards.

[@MrMcQuade]

Would you be willing to consult me on my Christmas tree setup? I’ve got some reverse loops and just learned that I need to separate my layout into blocks and I want to make sure I’m doing it correctly. I also want to make sure that I’m wiring it up correctly. I don’t want to blow another power supply.

[@theglacierline2660]

Yes I will. However, unless you have 3 rail track, it is a very good to NOT put reversing loops under a tree. It would require electrical isolation and two separate polarity switch controls that would have to be thrown manually. A circle or oval is best for under Christmas tree UNLESS you have 3 rail track. :-)

[@MrMcQuade]

@@theglacierline2660 excellent. Shoot me an email and we can figure out the best way to connect. [e-mail]

[@johngibson3694]

I have the atlas slide switches that you spoke about. I have approximately 17 blocks. My outer main has 3 blocks the inner main has many switches. That being said I’m using kato track and turnouts. Now my outer main worked great for a minute then I try to hook up the inner main and then all hell breaks loose. I will be running the outer main which worked fine until I fired up the inner main then I would try to run an engine in different directions and low and behold my engines slowed down and were running on one cab. So I took my wiring off on the hot side of my switches and tried to hook them back up and I thought I had it whipped until the same thing happened. I’m just about to torch the the whole damn thing.I realize it’s not rocket science but I have pulled everything apart twice now and I figure I’m doing something wrong and I think I might be my switches. Any advice on this situation. Anything would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. W. John Gibson

[@theglacierline2660]

Hi. Sorry it took me so long in responding. I am not familiar with Kato track. I do not know if power can pass from one end of it to the other. That may be your problem. When you divide a track into blocks they have to be electrically isolated each section from one another. From what you are describing, it sounds as if somehow someway this is not the case. You would need to ensure that power somehow isn't passing through the switches that is connecting the various blocks. Again, I apologize but I am not familiar at all with Kato track. Never owned any in my life.

[@rogerbivins9144]

I wonder if you were able to resolve your issues with the Kato switches? Most of them come power routed but you can easily change this by moving the two power route screws on the bottom of the switch. Also, if you have metal frogs, Kato provides an easy means of running power thru or killing power to them simply by moving a single screw on the bottom of the switch. All of these options are labeled on the bottom of the switch too.

[@PaulLascari]

Thanks for the video, but a circuit diagram would help 1000%.

[@theglacierline2660]

:-)

[@railroadguy100]

Could Lionel TMCC be added to this? Also, can multiple trains on this

[@theglacierline2660]

Yes. Easy. Same thing.

[@josephinebennington7247]

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