Big Mike G,
IMO if you are setting up a new layout, use the the star type wiring, if you already have a Buss type layout, add the DCS and see what happens. You may not even have to alter your wiring except for setting up blocks and even then, you maybe able to cheat a little to accomplish what you want. IMO engineering a new layout is quite different than adding to an existing one.
BALIDAS,
Soldering is not really the full answer as to blocks and track joints. IMO the DCS signal is altered by the pin joins in each section of track no matter the length, soldering track together does not alter the DCS signal degradation, because the Track pins are still setting up a DCS signal resistance, in fact soldering might be like adding another single track pin to the signal flow, not helping it at all, we are talking signal here not power. Remember DCS signals flow both ways thru out your layout. The object is to attain as close to a 10 signal strength thru out your layout as possible, assuring great DCS running operations. Do not confuse DCS signal with power on the tracks, two different engineering criteria.
IMO trouble shooting a layout when you use terminal blocks is a lot easier to accomplish most time, of course this also depends the size of the layout.
PCRR/Dave
