Warmington is wired for dcc operation and i originally used this ZTC 511 controller which began to feel a little dated so i sold it on and bought myself a lenz 100 set which can handle a lot more loco functions compared to the ZTC, the only disadvantage is it cannot handle route setting like the ZTC so i've had to add a lenz-usb to it to enable me to control the routes with my laptop!!
pics of the lenz to follow soon
The points on the layout are all dcc controlled originally using 3 x ZTC304 accessory decoders, each giving 4 outputs, the spare outputs operating the colour light signals and some of the layout lights
it was originally wired using normal cored wire which i have replaced with copper tape to try and tidy things up a little bit
this is how it looked early on with a single lenz150 accessory decoder running the points
then things got complicated with the addition of colour light signals, yard lights, station lights, lamposts
i decided to remove the wires in an attempt to tidy up under the layout and prevent damage to the wiring which i experienced while getting the layout in and out of the car at shows, i went down the copper tape route which has proved quite reliable, i have soldered the joints between tape runs for added reliability
this is the layout with the wire bus rail removed and points wires loose
copper tape bus in place but waiting for the decoders to be moved
after the 1st run of tape was added (track power) i added extra runs to power the lights around the layout, moved the accessory decoders and fixed down the point motor wires, i also fitted the flashing yard light relay box
The point control has changed yet again and i've moved away from the ZTCs to a pair of esu switchpilot accessory decoders for the points, i have kept a single ZTC304 for control of the signals and depot flashers (pics to follow)
it looks complicated but its actually quite a simple system, there are 2 transformers, one powering the controller and in turn the track and the other controlling the accessory decoders and lights
