At our club we have a reverse loop section that is fairly short. I know that the suggested practice is to have the reverse loop section longer than the longest train you plan to run. Problem is the layout was built with just a 5' reverse section with gaps in the rail. they did not use plastic insulators . I have found that the auto reverse relay goes crazy/shorts out,  as soon as the train bridges the whole length of the reverse loop section.

I have a very basic question regarding DCC decoders.  I have a bit of confusion when I read about sound decoders and control decoders.  Do sound decoders control the train's movements as well as produce sounds? Do control decoders only control train movement?  If I have a loco with a basic control decoder and I want sound, do I just add a sound decoder or remove the basic decoder first?

Thank you to any and all for their input.

Have any of you laid track using Central Valley Tie Strips?   If so, would you do it again?  I'm seriously considering them for my new layout. Looking for advice from anyone who has. Thanks

Chris Heili

MRL Trains

I had started this discussion under Luke's Control Panel item but it seems to have taken a life of it's own.

go to: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19604 for Luke's original post. 

I want to use PECO switches on a less accessible section of my layout and control them from a control panel.  And I would like to have LED's light up the selected route.  I'd be using push button momentary switches on the control panel to set the direction.