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My new layout has 3 main lines, a yard and a few sidings.  I'm using a ZWL to power it all.  I’d like to run both DCS for my MTH loco’s and Conventional for 2 older brand new Lionel loco’s I bought from a friend.  Would using a separate terminal block for each main line and another for the yard/sidings be required?  Or, can 1 terminal block be used for everything and still control both DCS and conventional ?  Also, I'd like to use the 4th handle to power the switches.  How would I then power the yard and sidings ?  Am I better off powering the yard/sidings with the 4th handle and a separate power supply for the switches ?   

 

Thanks, Mike

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You're going to need variable voltage control wherever conventional locomotives operate, and constant voltage wherever DCS/TMCC/Legacy units run.

 

It's possible to run command-control locomotives on your conventional-control tracks, but your maximum speed will be limited by the available voltage you're using to operate the conventional trains, and the command units will likely misbehave when you interrupt power to cycle the conventional locos' reverse units.

 

If you choose to keep your conventional and command locos on separate tracks without ever mixing them, then you can use your voltage taps however way you feel convenient, so long as you keep a steady voltage going to the command-control tracks.

 

---PCJ

If the ZW-L is like the old post war ZW then use either handle B or C to supply power to your switches and leave handles A & D for track power as they will have whistle feature.

 

I did a layout with a siding with DCS and you just supply power like usual except with a switch to cut power to the siding.

Didn't try to do both conventional and command control on the same track at the same time.

 

Lee Fritz

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