Wiring a model railway layout for DC and DCC running

It's no secret that we've got quite a few locomotives here at Bluffers to Buffers. You could say it's an addiction, but at least we know we're not alone and that there are many out there who suffer the same affliction.

Only problem is, our layout was conceived as a digital "DCC" layout. With the majority of locomotives that you purchase being DC or "DCC Ready".

The further problem is that it's not a cheap hobby getting them all chipped up to run on a digital layout.

It's a nice problem to have, but a problem all the same.

Whilst there are controllers out there that will allow DC/DCC running, our Gaugemaster Prodigy/DCC Concepts setup doesn't allow that. So, as we are in the early stages of constructing the upper level, we thought we'd throw on the brakes and wire the two upper loops so that we can at least run our DC fleet around those when we feel like it.

The conception was that it would be switchable between the two, but ensuring that there was no way the two could meet and, well, explode or something.

So here's our guide to how we achieved it. Don't consider it definitive by any stretch of the imagination, but it works and it's relatively straightforward.

With a DC/DCC running session at the end to boot

Hope you enjoy.

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0:00 Introduction
1:59 Underboard wiring
4:43 Switching between DC and DCC
7:47 Wiring digital point control for DC
9:28 Frank discussions during footage of Ben doing wiring
15:25 Testing using a multimeter
16:07 Running session


Some of the things used in the video can be found here:

Double-pole double-throw switches - https://amzn.to/3aVK2lP
6-pin wiring connectors - https://amzn.to/3tekarv
Digital multimeter (not the same as ours, but will do the same job) - https://amzn.to/2QDygWv
Wire strippers (not the same as ours, but a cheaper alternative) - https://amzn.to/3eJWOoK
7-core cable - https://amzn.to/3e9kbsM
‪@HornbyModelRailways‬ Tornado with three coaches for £180 - https://amzn.to/3xxvh2e