I'm building a small layout with some 3-way stub turnouts. Wiring the turnout itself is no problem. I've been planning dcc dontrol for the turnouts as well, however, and haven't come up with any ways to control a 3-way that I really like. It seems stationary decoders only have two states, closed and thrown (switches) or on and off (lights) so it seems I'll need 2 addresses for my 3-way. Using something like a Digitrax DS54 I figure I can program the decoder to avoid trying to throw both divergent routes at once and maybe set up routes to make control simpler (I'm not versed on the routes stuff though). Has anyone else tried something like this or have any thoughts on how to implement it?

Thanks Much. -Pete

-- Pete (pol@fone.net), February 06, 2005

Answers

Pete,

You are right about the turnout controllers only having two states. Using routes is your answer. Use a DS54 or a DS52 or similar turnout controller then program routes. While routes aren't the easiest thing in the world to program on a Digitrax Chief, the concept is simple. I use several routes on my layout.

Set up three routes, such as 1c, 1t, and 2c. Under each route, set up the switch commands that throw your three-way the way you want it. That is all there is to it.

I believe the Digitrax Chief supports 32 routes of 8 commands each. Computer programs can extend that capability.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), February 06, 2005.