I am wiring a newly completed layout (track is laid - the layout will likely never be "complete") which will be the first that I have done for two (maybe more later) train operation. It is N scale and I will be modeling late 30's - 40's -steam. This will be an 'old school' layout with blocks and cab control - no DCC. I am using Atlas track and their "selectors" for assigning the cabs to the blocks. The Atlas wiring book indicates that I should maintain a continuous "control" rail and only insulate the other rail at each block. The reversing section being an exception that gets insulated everywhere. It seems simpler to me that I should insulate both rails and provide feeders to each block. This differs from the Atlas book and I could use some help from someone who has done this already. Will my proposed plan of insulating both rails and feeding each block cause me problems? Thanks.
No, the way you want to wire it will work fine. Easy Model Railroad Wiring, 2nd Ed by Andy Sperandeo shows how to do it just like you are talking about. Easy Model Railroad Wiring - Google Books I wired mine that way. And if you ever do decide to go DCC, you will already be almost there.
Tad - thanks for the feedback. I'm moving forward as planned - it makes sense, I just needed confirmation.
If you are using Atlas selectors, you will still have a "control rail", it just won't be physically continuous if you isolate both rails. It will still be electrically continuous. (This is otherwise known as "common rail wiring".) Nonetheless, isolating your blocks completely from each other has advantages, particularly when it comes to troubleshooting.
What Ben says is true. If you use the Selectors, you are going to have to bring all you grounds to a terminal strip or something and make a common ground.
By double gapping both rails and making the "common" connection in the wiring under the layout (via terminal strip or bus bar), you can use your Atlas components now, yet still separate the "common rail" connections to implement direct home wiring if/when you go to DCC.
