Hi -

I am somewhat newer to this and am having a bear of a time getting my head around the wiring I need to create a simple "gapped" siding section where I can park a DC Locomotive.  I am running all straight DC Locomotives and will have a staging area which includes one or two turnouts so that I can simply "park" trains and then bring others onto the mainline without needing to derail / decouple other trains, etc.   Based on what I am reading, I can use Bachman's 44597 - insulated Gap Track to create the non-powered section(s) for parking.  (Yes, I understand this is also an expensive way to go, as Atlas sells insulated rail joiners, etc. for a fraction of the cost.   Anyhow, supposing I go with the Bachman 44597 - does this include any wiring with it? I am assuming it does include a red power wire, but am hoping someone can confirm.   Next, I understand that I need to rig a simple controller (SPST) such as the Atlas 205 between the gapped section and the power pack. This will then allow me to turn on / off power as needed.   I am assuming that I will need some wiring for all of this, that Bachman does not provide any of this.   

Any help or recommendations on which parts / wire gauge, etc I will need are very helpful.   Thank you. I expect to be ordering the parts I need through Hobbylinc.   Thank you.

Hello Joe,

Thank you so much for your help with this. I really appreciate it! I will try the modifications, as I just purchased a set of the smaller tracks (.75" through 2") specifically to help deal with issues like these. These small filler pieces are fantastic!  In any case, I will try your suggested modifications and see how I make out. Meanwhile, I really wish they would make a formal notation about this in the book, as I had interpreted it quite literally as a beginner, only to be baffled when it still did not all come together properly.

Thanks again for your help!

I have used this book to build the Iowa Central layout shown on page 37, but now I am also finding myself a bit intrigued by the more complex layout shown on Page 115, Plan # 19.   I see from the discussion above that Chris Lane has been helpful clarifying the location for the two 22" curves. 

Has anyone within this forum actually built this layout on a 4 X 8 bench and can help validate that I can order the parts shown from the plan?

Thank you very much for any help or comments you can provide.

Sincerely,

John Bergland

Hello -

I also have just used this book (copyright 2011) to build the layout for the Iowa Central shown on page. 37.   I followed the layout example exactly, but ran into a problem in the (when looking at the diagram, upper left hand corner...) after the right turnout, going clockwise, there was a rather significant gap between the following 18" curve and the connection to the next right hand turnout. . I ultimately was able to solve the problem by inserting a 2.5" straight between the 18" curve and the right hand turnout.

I was a bit surprised, as I followed everything exactly and ordered all the parts using the exact part numbers listed. Perhaps this is due to some level of "wiggle room and fudge factor" within the track as Chris notes below.   

In any case, I think the insertion of the 2.5" straight has solved the problem.

Thanks for any thoughts or comments.

John