Wiring for possible DCC upgrade I am getting ready to glue down the track on my new layout. So if I am adding insulated rail jointers.... And someday, like X-mas, I may switch to DCC. What's the best way to wire the blocks and use the insulated rail joiners? ( Or do it just like you should for DC ) Any info, tips, advise would be helpful. Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: When you wire for DCC, you need a common bus line for both track rails. This bus line should follow your track work around the layout. It doesn't have to end on itself. The gauge wire for the bus line should be 14 gauge wire. I use black and red wire for the common bus lines. You should also drop feeders for each rail to the common bus line for each section of track. This will ensure maximum electrical conductivity and you would have no problems with power to your rails. The gauge wire for the feeders should be 20 gauge wire. Use the same color wire for the feeder that you solder to the bus line. I don't recommend soldering railjoiners together. Eventually they will loosen and create problems. Soldering feeders to every section of track is time consuming but will give you outstanding results. I use insulated rail joiners to isolate blocks in DCC which I use for reverse loops, turntables, wyes, block occupancy detection, feedback and signal control. Remember that all your blocks will use the same bus lines. Plan out your blocks carefully. The number of blocks you use depends on the size of your layout and it's complexity. You also need a small isolated siding or a small section of track, not used on your mainline for a programming track. The programming track does just that; it programs your decoders and must be completely isolated from your layout. It could be a small siding that is isolated with insulated railjoiners. The wiring for DCC is very easy and is less complicated than wiring for DC. Just plan it out in advance and read up on "The Principles of DCC". You should read the "The Big Book of DCC" which is published by Digitrax. There are also many DCC sites that you can do a Google search for. Tonys Train XChange has an excellent DCC primer. Here is the link: Tony's Trains - DCC Primer for Beginners
