I set a new record!!

Dale, I eventually want to get this too and use it in passive mode.  I have two mainlines, each with their own isolated power, do you or anyone else know if I need to get a separate commander for both?  My guess is yes.  If I do can I use the same remote with both bases simultaneously?

I intend to try driving multiple power loops with the single base.  My expectation is that I can capacitively couple the hot output of the base to multiple power blocks.  Wish me luck!

I hope you are aware that you can only control one engine - ID #1 - with the Remote Commander.  Well, actually, you can control multiple engines if they are all ID #1.  I have two of the Climax engines, both set to ID #1, and I can run both of them simultaneously, but they both do exactly the same thing.

Since I only have one set, I can't test for interference between multiple Bases.  Does anyone know if the TIU command output signals are synchronized in some way to minimize interference?

Yes and yes.  But see what Dale is proposing below.

The remote is directional like a TV remote.  With some thought as to where you position the 2 bases, you might be able to independently control each loop with a single remote by pointing it at the desired base.  Look at the omnidirectional red lens on the base. By masking or shielding the lens, you can make it more directional albeit restricting your ability to walk around.

So if I understand your idea, the bridging cap blocks the 60 Hz power signal but passes the high frequency DCS signal?  Please post your findings!

I'm guessing for $30-35 street price, the DCS Remote Commander does not have any sort of provision for multiple bases.   I actually happen to have two of them here right now, and when I connected both of them to the same tracks, nothing worked.  I don't have independent power districts on this carpet layout, so I can't test that easily.

I know a gentleman that does this with DCS because he doesn't want to blow the fuses in the DCS...  I am sure you have protection from the transformer.

It is a great poor mans DCS.  G

My first test was to use a .1 uF capacitor from the red output of the Remote Commander to the A output terminal of my second PW ZW.  (The Remote Commander is clipped to and powered by the D output of my first PW ZW.)  This allowed me to put the MTH Climax on a separate loop.  (During testing, this second loop also had a PW F3 2343 twin-motor diesel sitting in neutral with a freight consist.)

I was able to start the Climax with the remote and run it down the front of the loop, but when the engine turned the corner, the remote was no longer functioning.  The engine continued on its own until it completed the back part of the loop, and once it got to the front again, I regained remote control.

Although this test is encouraging that a capacitor can be used to couple the DCS signal to multiple sources, it was not totally effective.

My outer loop driven by output D on ZW #1 probably had 150 feet of track powered from that output during testing.  The added loop was maybe 50 feet total.

I can think of several things to try, such as inductors to isolate the transformers from the track, removing the F3, and cutting off some of the blocks that were active on the outer loop.  Stay tuned.....

I would think an LC filter would be effective in isolating the track if desired.

Dale, couldn't you use a rotary switch to move the passive power connection from the commander to the desired power block where the locomotive is running? Wouldn't you be able to do this while the engine is moving between blocks?

Although a rotary switch would work, it isn't a very elegant solution. 

I'm still rooting for the Capacitor team.  Did you happen to try any other cap values and was there any difference in how far you could reach "into" the 2nd loop?  For example, 1 uF is still over 2k impedance at line freq. 

Also, building on John's idea of switching the base unit to the loop of interest, a magnet under the MTH engine could trip a reed/Hall switch to control a SPDT relay that toggles the DCS base-unit onto the loop the train is entering.  Still half-baked but might improve the elegance quotient.