Programme track as part of layout

Hi All.  Here we go again? My original Programme Track was on a separate board, which I recycled, then I wired it onto the Shunting Puzzle as a separate track via a DPDT switch, which was successful ,but, it crowded the puzzle.Now I am wiring via the DPDT switch, to the longest siding, but, reading the NCE Powercab manual has got me guessing ? The manual states “ Powercab track connector” to the two centre contacts .and the mainline to two end contacts, and opposite contacts to the programme track. This is different to the way I wired a separate programme track. My first question is, with a buss does this work meaning if I wire the PCP to the buss? And I wire the “ centre two contacts to the buss will the current flow to the DPDT switch just the same? And which two end contacts are wired to the Progrmme Track? And which two contacts to the Mainline ? Or is that by trial and error?
Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

The concept behind an electrically separate programming track is to make sure that only one, not all, of the engines on the track is programmed. The NCE system will quite happily program on the main track in either mode. As many have found out when the whole motive stock has the same loco address and cv values

How about a small piece of track on a separate board (piece of wood shelving about 15 x 6 inches is fine) that is dedicated to programming and rolling road (used in conjunction)? That way you keep the wiring simple, and do not have to have the plank open to work on one locomotive. Use a jack connector or even a DPDT between the power panel and the bus or program track. This way you can use all of the track on the plank as layout. Jack connectors allow easy disconnection. Or order another power panel and transformer to have a totally independent system. Which is what I used to have. These days I just use one of the planks in program track mode. (My planks are just large programming tracks!).

Remember NCE and other DCC systems were designed before mini layouts became popular. Small layouts over here were a minimum of 8 x 4 feet, and usually had plenty of room for a program track masquerading as a siding (spur) on the main layout or in a yard.

Nigel

Edit: I can't speak to systems such as Lenz, ESU or Marklin, but Digitrax has separate outputs on the main control box (except the entry level system). They are a bit special, as many of their decoders, especially older ones, need more power than other brands to be able to see what is happening during programming. NCE have an automatic electronic switch add-on. The trend for small layouts seems to be programming on the main. From personal observation, most RTR DCC locomotives never get programmed by their owners, only when consisting, which requires entering the addresses.

Hi Nigel.   Thank you. That was the way it used to be? And since the programme track was alongside the Puzzle , it has halted scenery development . This way, I hope? I get the best of both worlds. Maybe I will live to regret it?Best wishes.  Kevin

Hi Kevin,

What's to regret? DCC programming track, rolling road test bed, scenic it with ballast and grass and it is ideal for taking photographs. Test bed for electronic gizmos before you install on the main track. Add a turnout and it becomes a real test bed. And you do not disturb all that work on the scenic plank. Win, win…

Nigel

Kevin, Jeff Lynn SRman, uses NCE & has his programming track part of his layout and is sceniced   and this is mine

with the loco on the track,on my liftup and is the main line.



and for wiring  - the Power cab manual  under general system installation for a separate programming track.

In my case, my main track wires swap locations with the wires from the Command station as I use Power Pro

My programming track is entirely separate from the main layout tracks, but disguised to appear like it should join up. This avoids any possibility of absent-minded accidents occurring with programming.

I also have a rotary multi-pole switch to choose what device I use for testing and programming. Mostly I use the Power Cab, but I can also use my full Power Pro system, which has a separate output for the programming track, thus avoiding any confusion too.

The programming track is in the middle of the photo, on the lower level with the class 66 diesel sitting on it.


4 TC plus 33 D6520 - 2 cropped by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr


The switch photo pre-dates the above one, and was taken before I had revised the scenery a bit.

Provender Store Progress 30-07-17 - 2 by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr

Hi Nigel.  Thank you . That is all very well if one has the room, I do have some room, but, as I have said before, with the Landlords Housing officers ,” being of a certain vindictive type” that have the notion about my use of their property, and have harassed me previously , I keep my layout portable . If I owned the roof over my head things would be different.    Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Ron.     Thank you. As I wrote in my reply to Nigel , plus my original reply. I did have a separate programme track,.but I recycled the board, and put my programme track on the Shunting Puzzle Plank, but I should have left it has it was. Now that I have made it as the longest siding I can get on with the scenic work without too much track in place. I am wiring a DPDT switch following the Powercab manual instruction, just as I did before. My other Shunting Puzzle is in another box, but when I made it I should have followed the dimensions of the first one and I could have joined them together .   Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Jeff.  Thank you.  If I had a layout like yours. As said by David Jason in Only Fools and Horses, “ The World would be my lobster”. But I am limited in space, and with the random visits from the housing officers? I limit myself to Stowable Layouts in Boxes, rather like toolboxes ? Each one can fit on the “ Ironing Board” . As I am sure you are aware of, I followed the instructions in the Powercab manual , utilising the longest siding. Which is more than long enough for my longest Loco .   Best wishes. Kevin

Kevin, by a previous YMR member
https://www.bookdepository.com/Aspects-Modelling-Ian-Morton/9780711033436

https://www.bookdepository.com/Digital-Command-Control-Ian-Morton/9780711034990

Hi Ron. Thank you for the information . How could I ever doubt you?    Best wishes.  Kevin