Six track siding wiring

Without knowing if you have a spare channel, I would put a terminal block( feed by a set of paired wires from the tiu). close to the new siding and run paired wires to the tracks. I would also have toggles to shut each track down. A magic bulb at the each end of the siding if possible... lighted bumber

Having more than one set of terminal blocks from the tiu's channel output is probably not a great idea but it's better than feeding one terminal block  by another terminal block.

I'd try it. Do you have a spare channel or one with not much track on it?

Gregg,

Having more than one set of terminal blocks from the tiu's channel output is probably not a great idea but it's better than feeding one terminal block  by another terminal block.

Actually, it's a toss-up. Both ideas are, IMO, bad ones.  

The best thing to do is either to use a new TIU channel with a terminal block or add the new sidings to an existing terminal block.

I agree with you regarding the toggle switches and lighted bumpers, although if his TIU is a Rev. L the bumpers may not be necessary.

Hi,

My layout consists of 10 blocks, each has home run twisted three wire cable from center of each block track back to the TIU channel via a DPST relay (allows isolating block if problem might arise).  Each block has a magic bulb at the the point where the track feeder connects to home run cable. TIU is the rev before L came out.  Input to each TIU channel is protected by a PSX-1 fast breaker and 10A fast blow fuse. System has worked from day 1 without problem.  Due to layout size I only run one engine at a time (no l*** *p).

I was thinking that I would feed each siding track and its magic bulb from a central block that is fed from the TIU channel.  But then wondered if this was feasible or best solution.

If practical, you can try a test where you connect to a power and return wire to a piece of track at the throat of the yard, and see if the signal strength through the various switches is sufficient. I have a 3 track yard where the track feeding the yard is connected to a terminal block, and I get 10's throughout all 3 tracks. 6 tracks may require more than one track block, but going for 6 track blocks, (one per track) may be more than you need to get good signal strength. Note that I power my switches using a separate transformer so the switch machine coils do not degrade my DCS signal.

Good luck: Joe K

On my layout, every siding is fed thru a toggle switch, enabling it to be powered off.