Maurice: I originally had one track in my staging area set up as a programming track, but now I use my rollenprufstand. I have a two pole, four position switch going to it so I can select "digital", "analog", "programming" and "lokprogrammer" . That way I can set it up and test it without moving it. If you are going to use a track connected to your layout, you just need to isolate it from the rest of the layout and wire it to the programming track output of your controller (I use an IB)

Ron and Per,

Thanks for your insights. I will be using a TRIX Mobile Station so it has no separate output for a programming track. Based on your inputs I think the best routes to go are as follows:

1. Isolate the programming track area and use a DPDT with center-off switch.

2. Have a separate track area not connected to the main-layout that has its own connector and transformer and just move the Mobile Station.

3. Use a rollenprufstand.

4. Just leave everything as is and remove all locomotives from main-line.

Ron what 2 pole, four position switch do you use? Do you have a wiring diagram?

Thanks again!

Hi Per,

Thanks for your advice. I am in agreement with you that safety is of prime concern. I am inclined just to have a separate track area that is disguised within a station area as a sideing. Although the rollenprufstand is a viable option.

Ron,

Thanks for the reply. If you could provide the diagram it would be helpful.

Hi Per,

Thanks for letting me know that. I knew that in digital operation the Mobile Station/Transformer combination feeds the whole layout. If one uses a programming track it does need to be electrically isolated. If one has a large layout with lots of accessories then boosters should be used and I see the point of your wiring descriptions. Using the Delta Station as a booster one still needs to isolate the power consumption areas even if one does not have a separate programming track.

I appreciate your and Ron's suggestions. Has Maerklin addressed this in their Mobile Station manual?

Manual?????? You'll have to ask someone who reads manuals

I've heard of people doing just that; but never tried this method myself

I tried to send you a mail; but your contact-info is not updated; the mail came back.

You could have been the first to see the "printerfriendly" version of my "mobile-station-connections for beginners"

Made for 3 rail; ( C-track ) but most general advice would be OK for you.

Maybe I should make a dedicated 2-rail-version, 1-gauge'ers choo choo on two too

Per.

.

Hello

Even better to have a ESU LokSound programmer with it's own prgramming track [:p]

Hello Per,

My E-mail address is on my profile and it is active so you should have had no issues in sending me an E-mail.

I usually read the manuals and when I feel comfortable enough to experiment I do. With expensive digital decoders etc. I would rather take my time and "be safe" rather than dive in as I usually do. Analogue is a lot easier to "fix!"

Again thanks for your help it is greatly appreciated. Also to all the others who have responded a big thank you!!

Benny,

Wonderful job on putting in the micro-switch on the connector-box. A neat idea and extremely practical. The TRIX Mobile Station has a separate connector-box. If I go with a DPDT switch then I will double-gap the programming track for isolation from the main layout. The common (negative) and positive leads from the TRIX connector box will go to the center connections on the DPDT, one set of wires will be connected to the main-line. I will add a 47Ohm 2W resistor between the positive lead coming out from the switch to the wire that will connect to the program track.

Nev,

The TRIX Connector box is inexpensive and I agree that having a dedicated programming track separated completely from the layout is definately the easiest and probably safest way to go. It can still be disguised to be a part of the layout.

I appreciate all the great ideas and all the inputs from a superb group of gentlemen.

Per,

Let me know your Email address so I can try to send you an E-mail. I know mine is working well because I received Emails from Canada and Germany today.

Benny,

I sent Per an E-mail via the profile earlier today but have no idea if it ever got through to him. I removed mine from my earlier posting. Try sending me an E-mail, I am not sure why one would not get through to me unless it is automatically going to my Deleted items or Spam folder.

Hi Per,

Glad you got my E-mail. As yet I have received nothing from you. I even sent myself a test to myself from here and have yet to receive it.

Maybe it will come through!!

Hello Per and Benny,

Per, your E-mail got through to me. My own test one to me has not arrived yet.

Benny, your's has not arrived yet. I think with E-mail it is a matter of how the servers communicate.

Per,
You are not being serious again. [^][:p]

Short report:

On my "under construction semi permanent test layout" I have two loops, parallel tracks.
They are connected with two sets of curved turnouts. Between the two turnouts in one set it is a curved track, 24130.

I have completely isolated the two "interconnecting" 24130 (blue colour) from the rest of the tracks, both "0" and "B".
The inner track is connected directly to the normal track output on the CS.
The outer track is connected to a 7244, the center terminals of two of the switches. This goes for both "0" and "B".
One side of the two switches sets are connected to the inner track, "0" and "B".
The other side of the two switches are connected to the programming track output of the CS.

The center connectors of the two remaining switches of the 7244 are connected to the two interconnecting 24130.
The "other side" (same side as above) of the switches are connected to the programming output.

The 6083 controlling the 7244 is connected to the inner noramal track.

This way I can run the outer loop as a programming track and the inner as a normal track, or I can run both loops as normal tracks.
If I run the outer track as a programming track, the two interconncting 24130 is compleste cut off from any power, as a "safety zone" between the normal track and the programming track.



I have set up a train route with the CS to control the programming track:
A. Programming function, lower right corner of the screenshot:
1. Upper left turnout red
2. Lower left turnout green
3. Lower right turnout green
4. Upper right turnout red
5. 7244 red - outer track connected to programming output, no power on the two blue 24130

B. Normal function, upper left corner of the screenshot:
1. Upper left turnout red
2. Lower left turnout green
3. Lower right turnout green
4. Upper right turnout red
5. 7244 green - all tracks connected to the normal output

Hi Svein,

Nice piece of work. Thanks for sharing this with us.

I'm happy if I can be of some assistance, friends.