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 Posted - October 04 2010 : 5:24:47 PM
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anyone have experience with the Atlas Cab control system?
I have a old Atlas book 1971 Wiring your Layout.
It shows diagrams using the Atlas control switch (which i have) to run 2 trains using two power packs.
try as i may i can't see how this works.
Looks to me i would have to keep throwing switches as the 2 trains run around the tracks and i don't see how one avoids the change in power going from one section to another
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Posted - October 04 2010 : 6:20:16 PM
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That's exactly what you have to do. The track is broken into insulated sections, or "blocks." The Atlas "Controller" is used to wire reverse loops and such where the track actually loops back on itself. Each block of the track is wired to a switch on the Atlas "Selector". The switch selects between the two power supplies. Push the switch up, power pack 1 is in control. Push the switch down, power pack two is in control. If you want constant running, you have to set all the blocks in a given loop to the same power supply. Otherwise, like you said, you have a lot of switches to flip as the train comes by. That's why people love DCC...it eliminates all that wiring.
I don't have much experience with the "Controller" as I never had a need for it. I personally use one power pack hooked to Atlas selectors. Basically, they're on/off switches in this configuration. I have a simple layout with several sidings that I use to "park" trains that aren't in use. All I do is put the train on the siding, switch the siding off, then turn on another siding and bring a new train onto the mainline. I have two tracks setup like that, and one small loop that's straight to the power pack.
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Posted - October 04 2010 : 8:42:52 PM
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my book shows two trains being operated with 2 power sources and 4 selector switches permitting no change in speed as they move from one block to another.
I'm going to try it
I';m thinking DCC but it's converting all my engines with chips, many are not DCC ready that is my problem
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Posted - October 04 2010 : 11:18:52 PM
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quote:my book shows two trains being operated with 2 power sources and 4 selector switches...
I'm going to try it
I';m thinking DCC but ...., many are not DCC ready that is my problem
Originally posted by derfberger - October 04 2010 : 8:42:52 PM
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I tried to get my local train club, when they built the club layout, to include a section for just straight DC operation so visitors COULD run non-DCC trains, but they wanted it all the way. DCC is a huge expense, it's nice, but unless you can justify the operational expenses, living with regular DC and only running 1 train at a time is the cheapest way to go. The 3RD way, in my mind, would be to use an R/C aircraft frequency throttle control, then you could use 2 or 3 different frequencies to adjust the throttles and run full power to the track so each train could pick up only the power it needed. I think for a home layout, that would work better ( and cheaper) than DCC with all it's computerized expense.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 04 2010 : 11:25:18 PM
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quote:my book shows two trains being operated with 2 power sources and 4 selector switches permitting no change in speed as they move from one block to another.
I'm going to try it
Originally posted by derfberger - October 04 2010 : 8:42:52 PM
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Yep, that will work just fine if your track plan is set up that way. Basically you just have to have two loops that you can isolate onto separate power supplies. As long as all the switches are in the right place, it's just like having two independent layouts. It only gets tricky if they actually have to share a portion of track.
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