This may be a strange question, but what defines a "Large Layout" when it comes to needing boosters? Is it:

a) The electric load and resulting current draw from the Central Station and its transformer?
b) Actual length of track and the resulting voltage drop across the numerous track connections?
c) A combination of the above 2?

If it is only a) then that is a straight calculation of the various loads connected to that section. I read in another thread on this forum that operating 5 trains should be no problem without a booster. If that is the case then that should be no problem for a one operator home layout.

If it is b) then is there a rule of thumb as to how many feet of track can be operated reliable without a booster?

In my case I have designed my layout for a 12 ft. x 10 ft. room in a C fashion along 3 walls. My plan was to power the track with a single transformer and a 6021 Control Station. In order to avoid any poor contact or voltage drop issues I had also planned to run a 14 AWG cable from the Control Station as a power bus below the benchwork to all the remote locations of the layout and provide separate power feeds in several of these locations from this bus. For the catenary I was planning on using a Delta 4F connected as a booster and run a similar bus cable power supply to all the remote areas of the catenary.

Is there a flaw in this approach?

Cheers
Peter

Hello,

I use Central Station 60214 for my main layout. I have symmetric main lines and four 144 cm long bridges connecting the two symmetric main line halfs. My layout is kind of U-shape. With this kind of layout it was easy to plan current supply points so that they feed quite evenly the whole main layout. I decided to have eight current supply points that are located near the ends of those four bridges. I use 0,75 mm2 wire to these eight current supply points. At both ends these 0,75 mm2 wires are first connected to 1,5 mm2 wires that are finally connecting to Central Station with 2,5 mm2 wires.

By doing this way the current supply the longest track lenght at the outer main line having current supply points at both ends (bridge ends) is around 5-6 meter. But as both ends supply power to the track this divides the lenght by two to 2,5-3 meter. I am happy with this solution.

I have a separate lower level layout below my main layout. It is used at the moment with 6021 Control Unit and only one current supply point. It has only one main line, but track lenght is quite long. I have noticed that it would need more current supply points. Maybe at least one more to other side. But what comes to how many locomotives can run at the same time I have ran three at the same time at lower level. Voltage drop can be seen as at the farest distance from current supply point some locos run slower than at near current supply point.

At my upper main layout I have not got any problems running six locos at same time. It is quite easy to operate six at the same time as the main line tracks are symmetrical = same lenght from bridge to both layout halfs. If I adjust loco speeds to same then I can watch them and enjoy even with six locos.

CS2 is supplying power to the tracks and turnout motors/decoders (17 of them). I have a separate transformer for layout lights, windmill motor etc.

I have also a separate transformer supplying power to signals which are Märklin My World series only for looks and I operate them manually (not controlling track current). I have 16 signals.

I would recommend to use 2-3 meter distance for current supply points and have 0,75 mm2 wires. 6021 is ok at least for three locos running at the same time. CS2 can supply power to six at least, but it depends of the locos and how evenly current supply points are set to layout.

Cheers,
Janne

Thanks all. At least I am on the right track (pardon the pun).

Peter