To make the DB200+ an Auto Reversing Booster follow the following steps: 1. Remove input power from the DB200+ by turning off the Input Power Supply. 2. Move the Mode Switch to the center P/R or OP position 3. Restore power to the DB200+ by turning on the Input Power Supply. Use the below diagram as a guide to configuring the DB200+ for Reverse Loops. Please note that for Auto Reverse applications the DB200+'s Mode Switch is set to the center P/R or OP position. Also note the DB200+ connections to the track- the DB200+ track connections are NOT directly ...

When using an AR1 with the Zephyr Xtra, we suggest you change Option Switch 18 to Closed (OPSw18='c').  Option Switch 18 extends the DCS51 booster short circuit shutdown time from 1/8 to 1/2 second.  By increasing this Option Switch setting to 1/2 second, this allows the AR1 to change the track polarity before the DCS51 booster reacts to the momentary short caused when the train passes over the reversing section gaps.   To change Option Switch 18, do the following:   Press PROGRAM Press SWITCH Press 1 Press 8 Press c (CV-WR, lower right) Press EXIT   You will still ...

You can operate reversing sections manually or automatically with Digitrax. You must double gap (completely isolate) both ends of the reversing section just like with any other layout. If you choose manual operation, use a DPDT switch or relay to handle the polarity change as the loco enters and leaves the reversing section.   If you choose to use to completely automate the reversing section, power the reverse loop with a booster and power supply and the main layout with another Command Station and power supply. The WTL12 when running as your command station will not auto-reverse.  To configure your ...

DB150 5 Amp AutoReversing DCC Command Station/Booster makes your layout more fun to run more trains, manage short circuit shutdowns and add automatic reversing. Used as part of a Super Empire Builder Xtra starter set or seperatly it gives you the capability to run upto 22 locos and 22 throttles. Great for upgrading your basic LocoNet system.

Single 3/5/8 Amp AutoReversing DCC Booster with up to 8 Amps of power total.

Single 3/5/8 Amp AutoReversing DCC Booster with up to 8 Amps of power total. Opto-Isolated for layouts with common rail wiring

Single 3/5/8 Amp AutoReversing DCC Booster with up to 8 Amps of power total.

This H0-scale railroad track plan first appeared in the Atlas Model Railroad Company's book "Six Railroads You Can Build", written by John Armstrong and illustrated by Tad Stepek. This book was first published in 1958 and has been reprinted several times. A classic bowl of spaghetti, the Transbay Interwoven has two reversing loops and a turntable. DC Control For DC operation, Atlas specified three Atlas Controllers (for the reverse loops and the turntable), two Atlas Selectors (to control eight track segments) and ten controllers for the railroad's turnouts. DCC Makes Things Simple With DCC, the wiring of this railroad is ...

The PM74 OPSW41= C will change the 4 DS1-4 led display, so each DS led now reports the same way the PM42 leds did. This is a Legacy option provided for users who want the PM74 indications to be similar to the PM42. The default OPSW41 =T has the DS led light ON for resistance Occupancy detection within that DS, and will flash when a Transponder is present in that DS. These 2 additional DS detection capabilities and indication were NOT present in the PM42. Whatever the OPSW41 state is, LocoNet messages will report Power state/action,  Occupancy and Transponding messages to a connected LocoNet, ...

In earlier generations of model railroading, the reverse loop (reversing section) was the bane of many model railroaders. As the rails of a track come back upon themselves, an electrical short circuit is created. In the analog control world, the solution is to use toggle switches and special wiring to allow the locomotive to move on to the next block. Electromechanical solutions relying on relays and track detectors can also be used to automate reversing on an analog layout. The wye is another example of a reversing section on a layout. One of the advantages of digital command control is ...

  I have an "old" vintage mid 1970's Atlas Turntable and I need to know how to wire the bridge track using DCC. Does it need an autoreversing unit or not?No. The Atlas H0 turntable is an evergreen for the model railroad hobby. It was easy to install and simple to wire, making it quite popular.Power is fed to the turntable bridge by connecting the track power feeds (black and red) individually to two screw terminals; these terminals are built into the portion of the Atlas turntable base which also includes the turntable manual crank handle. The turntable itself is ...

My layout is the Apex & Hypotenuse design, from the Atlas design. I was wondering where would you suggest I wire the AR1. We remember this layout design, if for no other reason than its ingenious complexity. This railroad initially appeared in the Custom Line King Size Plan Book - H0 Railroads You Can Build, originally published by Atlas Tool in 1966. This book was yet another collaboration between the late John Armstrong and illustrator Thaddeus (Tad) Stepek. This railroad must have required a certain level of dexterity by the operator since the reversing segment is actually two different return ...

DCC Automatic Reversing SectionsVirtually all automatic reversing will fall into 3 categories with the wiring principles for all being the same:1. Reverse Loops2. Wyes3. TurntablesDCC has the ability to automatically reverse sections of track we call Reversing Sections while our trains are running and not affect the direction or speed of the trains. This is because we put a constant square wave AC current on the track and control the trains (locos) by sending messages to them (actually to receivers we call decoders) to tell them what to do such as start, stop, change directions, etc. . We are thus ...

This Atlas Snap-Track layout appears in the Atlas Model Railroad Company's book "Beginner's Guide to HO Model Railroading". It includes a reversing section which can be controlled with a Digitrax AR1. DC Control For DC operation, Atlas specified an Atlas Controller (for the reverse loop), two Atlas Selectors (to control eight track segments) and seven controllers for the railroad's turnouts. DCC Makes Things Simple With DCC, the wiring of this railroad is considerably simpler. Because each locomotive has a unique address, the section insulated gaps and the two Selectors are not necessary. Likewise, the Controller is replaced with the AR1 ...

At first glance, the typical switching railroad would not seem to be a good candidate for DCC operations. Yes, there may be only one locomotive on many of these railroads, but that locomotive can still benefit from DCC. By adjusting the starting, mid-range and maximum speed values of this locomotive, you get very good slow speed control, perfect for the switching railroad. And, of course, if you add a second locomotive, then DCC becomes the clear choice because you are not longer having to throw toggle switches just to move around the yard. The DCC environment also gives you turnout ...

The BDL168 can be used as an autoreversing unit for return loops. One of the BDL168 Detection Sections is connected to the non-reversing area, with the balance of the detection connections being made within the reversing area. Here is a wiring example: Note that an auto-reverse section can only use detection sections that are contained in a BDL168 zone that is correctly set up for auto-reversing.

This section discusses the installation of the physical wiring of the Texas & Southwestern. Underneath the completed Texas & Southwestern are various wires and cables which allow you to operate your railroad. Initially, seeing all these wires can be intimidating, but as you will note, they have been grouped and bundled so that identifying the individual wires is easy. There are two groups of wires under the railroad; one group, the power bus, delivers power to the tracks and to the stationary decoders that operate the track switches. The other group of wires is the black cable for LocoNet and ...

Connecting a turntable to a DCC model railroad is easy.  Each of the tracks approaching the rotating turntable bridge should be wired with the same orientation.  The power feeds through a pair of conductive rings to a pair of electrically conductive brushes that are wired to the rails of the turntable bridge.  DCC power is fed to the turntable bridge through an AR1 Autoreverser; when a locomotive enters or leaves the turntable bridge, the AR1 properly orients the DCC signal.  Some turntable designs have a "split-ring" electrical pickup, where the two electrical contacts that power the two rails on the ...

The slip switch is a track element that has both a crossing at grade and also a set of movable points which allow trains to both cross another track and also change track.  The Crossing The crossing allows tracks to cross each other at grade.  The Slip SwitchThe more complex slip switch allows trains to both cross and to change tracks: In the schematic below, you will note that the slip switch is more compact than ordinary turnouts.  As a result, they are often found in high track density areas such as passenger terminals, where space is at a premium. ...

Q:  I recently split my layout in half, with a DB150 acting as a booster powering one side and a DCS100 powering the other. I'm trying to reconnect the bus feeders to the rails, which all worked properly before the split. Now when I reconnect the feeders there is no short indication, BUT when a loco goes over the insulated gap between the two sections, a short occurs. A:  This is a common issue when the first booster is added to a DCS100/DCS200 command station. MOST DCS100/DCS200 command stations come from the factory set with Rail A & Rail B connections that are the opposite ...

What is it and how do I find a DPDT?It's an electrical switch; double pole - double throw (DPDT). Here is a schematic of a DPDT: More typically, they look like this: The DPDT is very common to model railroading and found at just about any store that sells electronics.  It comes in a variety of arrangements, with the most common being a DPDT Center-Off switch.  Analog OperationsIn the early days of Direct Current model railroading, reverse loops had to be controlled by hand, and the DPDT was perfect for the job.  The DPDT was wired in such a way ...

Digitrax Query Mode: The new generation of Digitrax Advanced Command Stations and other new products from ~October 2016 onwards include some convenient new self-diagnostic and external diagnostic capabilities and methods, to help keep LocoNet systems and devices healthy and working optimally, without requiring additional tools. The DCS240 and DCS210 Advanced Command Stations include “Query Mode” diagnostic information that can be interrogated or read-out using enhanced capabilities of DT500 throttles. Advanced Command Station Query information is grouped into six broad groups of data/diagnostic information displayable by a DT500/DT500D: “Lnt”: LocoNet Device Type/product info “ELE”: Device Electrical information, voltages/currents, etc. “Lnt”: LocoNet ...

I am putting the finishing touches on my 10 x 20 foot H0 railroad. It is a copy of the Cajon Pass, Salt Lake & Santa Fe RR by John Armstrong (#86 in the 101 Track Plans by Linn Westcott) [Kalmbach Publishing, ISBN 0-89024-512-6; still in print]. I have decided to go with DCC and my local hobby store recommended Digitrax. The layout is in my basement, I will be the only operator, the plan has 54 track switches (34 NJ International twin coils and 20 Tortoise turnout motors). Can you give me an idea as to what equipment I ...

Digital Command Control (DCC) has specific electrical requirements that must be provided for your layout control system to operate properly.Input PowerAll DCC systems require an external power supply.  Digitrax manufactures several power supplies for our command stations and boosters: The 3 Amp PS415 (the Zephyr Xtra power supply) The 5 Amp PS515 for all Digitrax 5 amp command stations and boosters The powerful 20 Amp PS2012 can be used for multiple 5 and 8 amp command stations and boosters  Additionally, the PS14 is available to power various other devices for your railroad.  Digitrax strongly encourages you to use our power supplies to insure satisfactory ...