I don't understand the advantage of the alternative, the RJ25 plug. Doing it the simple straight forward way of using Rail A & B, I think, gives me what I want. It is not going to be a huge layout. Part 1 will be a 5x8 and part 2 will be an additional 4x8. I was planning on the whole thing being 1 power district. Won't the 5 amps from the E-Z booster be enough for a layout that size with no more than 3 trains on it at once. If so, what would be the advantage of having two power districts? Would the Zephyr be in control of the trains in both districts?
Paul

I am going to post a 'nevermind' on this. The instruction DVD on the Brachmann power booster pretty much confirmed what I thought. It appears pretty certain that the output from Rail A & B has to go into the booster, which makes sense. Digitrax support told that was not how to do it, but I don't think they know what they are talking about.

The E-Z Command power booster comes with a cable with 2 bare ends which it says is to be used to connect for another manufacturer's DCC control system. They say connect according to the DCC controller specs. I do not see anywhere in the Zephyr Xtra manual where it addresses how to connect a power booster.

The possible connections on the Zephyr are

Jump1
Jump2
Prog A
Ground
Prog B
Rail A
Rail B
Loconet A
Loconet B

Jump1 thru Rail B the only connections for a bare wire. Loconet A & B are (don't know the proper term) the type of connection you would have for ethernet cable connection

Digitrax support has been no help. Has anyone put these two together? Please help

Wow. Your right. Handlaid track isn't for me at the moment. Or, probably, ever. This is mostly for my son. I intend to have some fun too but the 'into this' meter will probably stay at 70 to 75%. Handlaid track sounds way too intense.

I am strongly considering Homasote. Sealing it sounds like the way to go. I guess without further input I would probably go with a polyurethane varnish. Can anybody suggest anything else?

Also, if by 'handlaying' track you are talking about laying the individual pieces of track and attaching them to the road bed one at a time, that was what I was planning to do. I didn't know there was any other option. Unless you are talking about the 'easy track' products that have an attached roadbed simulating ballast. I don't like the looks of that stuff.

I have told my son that part 1 of this layout is a project for this summer. It isn't going to happen over night. We are going to take our time and do it right. He is 13 in a week and I told him if he gets into this we could be working on it thru his teens. He seems to be ok with that.

That's a lot to absorb. It is going to take a while. Some of the stuff youre talking about has already been decided. I am going with HO code 83 nickel-silver on 5 x 8 benchwork. The first part of the layout is going to be a figure 8 with 18R track within a larger 22R track loop with two turnouts to take it into Part 2 of the layout which will be a 4x8 layout perpendicular to Part 1. Using steel work bench legs with a stringer and 2x4's bolted to the legs at the top  (I want to be able to land a plane on this sucker) with the plywood screwed to the 2x4's. So the big question now is what goes on top of the plywood? This I will have to mull after reading all this again. Thanks for the info, Paul

So I guess then the answer would be Homasote. Never heard of it. So I guess I will have to track it down
Thanks, Paul

I was talking about not wanting to get into the cork strip, width a little wider than the track. I was asking about a substitute for the 1/2 inch styrofoam insulation over the plywood. In other words, what do I want to put between the plywood and the track.

I am working on my first model train layout. I was planning on putting down 1/2 inch styrofoam insulation sheets on top of the plywood. However, I just got a package of Atlas track nails and see that they are only 1/2 inch long. They will never get down to the plywood. Will they anchor the track well enough in the stryofoam? I would think that they wouldn't. I didn't want to get into the cork road bed. Any suggestions, please?

Thanks for the info. I took a look at the supplied website. Since I am just getting into this I think this will go onto the back burner for a while. We will be busy enough getting our first layout done.
Thanks
Paul

I am just getting started in this hobby. My son and I are going to build out first layout this summer. I acquired the above locomotive. I know it is not DCC equipped but is it DCC ready and how do I tell? Help, Please!