Using stationary decoder to replace a DC transformer

[mmyers]

My worry with this concept has always been crossing "block" boundaries between decoder outputs. How does this work out for those who have tried it? A couple of us have toyed with it at BANTRAK but have not been committed enough to risk the cash outlay for possibly fried decoders.

Martin Myers

[jagged ben]

The Capital PenNscalers Ntrak embarked on this endeavor a few years ago.  We started by testing the concept on the blue line. It has been successful in use for going on three years. Additionally the red and yellow lines were converted to this method early this year. We now use the digtrax command stations and throttles to control the layout whether the track power is DC or DCC.  Initially we keep the Arito units as back-ups but now the Aristo Throttles have been completely removed and retired. In a matter of seconds the any of the lines can be switched to either DC or DCC track power.  No longer need to keep both 9volt and AA batteries. Operators only need to learn one type of throttle.  Go for it. You wont regret it.

Thanks for chiming in.

Do any of your trains ever end up crossing from DC into DCC blocks by accident (or vice versa)?   If so, what happens?