Model Railway Forum

Hi All.

Just want a bit of advice before I start this little project. Attached an image of my plan layout. At the moment it is fully DCC, but I would like to be able to run the older DC loco's on this. I was going to convert some, I have done some, but realise they dont really run that great, and the cost will be too much as well, espcially the older 3 pole ones, that havent got as many pickups either.

So this is my plan, I'm only going to do this on the main outer track, and only plan to have the one going anyway.(arrowed on the image)

I already have a Gaugemaster dc controller at the side which I use the accessory port for the points. So wire this up to the main track. Would I need to put a switch in so to ensure the circuit is fully broken when back on DCC?

And trains that are DCC, I would leave on the turnouts ect, but I tend to alter the CV 29 so that they are not set to not run on DC(so that they dont move when controlling the other

If the above is the correct way of doing this, would I need to make sure that the DCC controller(this is a prodigy express) is actually unplugged from the layout(not just turned off? I dont fully understand Resitance, but didnt know if this would affect this.

Many thanks in advance.

Richard

Stick a DPDT centre off switch in there. The track goes to the centre pair of contacts and each controller (DC and DCC) go to the outer pairs. Centre off is essential to provide a definite break between the DC and DCC outputs. If they ever meet one or both controllers will be toast. It is also essential (where applicable) to have any DCC controlled accessories running from their own bus and not the track bus, else again the DC will kill those devices.

Many thanks for the reply. So put the dpdt switch on the dc controller wire inbetween the dc controller and the track? Other than that, I have no dcc controlled accessories. All my points are controlled via the dc accessories port.

Richard

Sorry, after replying I got what you meant, the DPDT switch, basically sits inbetween both the controllers. Doh. Thanks Again

Haha. It makes sense when one realizes the logic behind something. DCC and DC can certainly be used on a layout with a "DCC/DC" switch. Just ensure that both DC and DCC will be properly isolated from each other, and it is probably a good idea to set ones DCC locos to run on DC as well.
I would keep all points and any signals to traditional DC style control as it is not only cheaper, but can end up simpler and easier to use. (Unless one wants to run ones layout entirely on a computer which to me may spoil the fun as I am a "Hands on" type of modeller. (Though can be an interesting challenge in itself for some!)

Whilst a DPDT switch will work to 'flip' the layout from DC to DCC you must ensure that when you switch to DCC, all non DCC fitted locks have been removed from the layout or you may burn out the motors.
Personally I would never include both control systems on the same layout - the mechanics of switching may be foolproof but at some point you will leave the 'wrong' loco on the layout.

Just back to the original posting that older locos do not run great. One thing to check is that all pickups are functioning correctly.

Thanks for all of the comments, will bear all of these in mind. I have about 10 older locos some from my child hood, so would like to just clean these up and run as DC, I don't think it's worth trying to convert, and a lot of these dont have many pickups anyway. I will just literary be running one and then removing before going back on to dcc.