DC and/or DCC on the Same Layout

Can you have DC and DCC operations on the same layout?

The answer is YES, but with one caveat: DC or analog locomotives often do not like DCC power which runs on AC current. AC stands for "alternating current" as opposed to DC which stands for "direct current." The electrons traveling through the track on DC power are flowing in one direction. The electrons in AC power are traveling back and forth in an "alternating" manner very rapidly. When DC motors are run with AC (DCC) power, they sometimes will get overheated and even burn out. There are some DC locomotives that will tolerate AC power and run just fine. You can usually tell the difference by listening when you put a DC loco on a DCC powered track. It will start buzzing. If it does that, don't run it on DCC track. If it does not buzz, it might be alright to run it on DCC power, but that is not a guarantee. It still might burn out. So most model railroaders say don't do it unless you don't mind replacing some of your DC locomotives.

There is one transformer made by MRC called "Tech 6" that is marketed as a Sound Controller that will operate the sounds in any locomotive that has a sound decoder installed. It will also run DC locomotives when in "standard" mode, and DCC locomotives when in "dual" mode. The instructions however clearly indicate in bold not to run a DC (analog) loco when "dual" mode is selected. (Don't tell anyone, but I have done it, without being arrested by the model railroad police.)

The Bachmann DCC Command Control also has a button that allows you to run analog (DC) trains, but again it is not recommended at least not for long periods of time.

For Digitrax, you can run analog locos if you use the address "00," but the same disclaimer applies. You can do it but not without some risk to your locomotive.

Wiring for DC OR DCC

It is relatively easy to wire a toggle switch that you can toggle your layout to either run DC or DCC. It requires a DPDT toggle switch preferable with an off position in the middle (not a momentary switch which are for turnouts mostly).

The following is a schematic of the bottom of a DPDT toggle switch showing the wiring connections that will allow you to switch from DC power (using a regular DC transformer that you use to run your DC trains to the power from the DCC command control, and back again. The off position turns off power from both sources. The two middle terminals on the toggle switch are connected by wires to each of the two tracks.

Here is a video from Scott Rails that may be helpful:

Two Mainlines

Another option is to have two mainlines, one operated by DC and the other by DCC. This requires great care so that your wiring to one mainline does not get mixed up with the other. Label all wires either as DC or DCC as you are connecting all your track feeder wires. Using different colors for your mainline buses is helpful also.

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Train Station on the Blue Ridge and Southern Model Railroad

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