I am modeling the Silverton branch back in it's heyday. The D.R.G.W's Silverton branch had many wyes but I have no idea on how to build and wire a wye?
Of course the easiest way is to go RC battery power but from the sound of your post I think you're more insterested in a track powered plan.
A wye requires at least three switches. The train comes into #1 and goes through #2. Then #2 is switched and you back up through #2 and #3. Then you switch #3 to send you back though #3 taking you the opposite way through #1 which of course must have the polarity switched by the time you get there or you will come to a halt. To do this you will also need two to three sets of track isolators, some means of switching the track polarity after you've gotten off that section of track, and some sensors if you plan to run the points automatically. LGB had some little glass tube magnet sensors that would make contact when a magnet attached to the underside of a loco or car passed over it. Those will allow you to change the polarity of the track segment you just left after you've cleared it. LGB also had some dual pole switches that the sensor could operate via a diode for their low voltage AC signal systems. I think it was part of their EMT system. Anyway they can be rigged to do either wyes or reversing loops.
That said what I've done in the past is set up a chart for the track segments showing the track polarity needed for each case of forward and reverse within each segment. Then you can figure out how to throw the switches and change the polarity to what you need. Reversing the loco to do the backup phase of the wye automatically can also be done although I've never attempted it. I've done it via remote control.
Hope I haven't confused you too much??
Rex
There is a good article on wiring wyes and reverse loops in the August 1999 GR if you can lay your hands on a copy. Also try this - http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips3/reversing_tips.html#wyes
-Brian
Rex:
Re your description of a wye wiring scheme: Well done, understandable--and the reason I decided 'Battery! R/C!' I had a whole bunch of Lionel high-rail a long time ago, and underneath the benchwork it looked like a better-maintained section of an AT&T substation. Sheesh. I decided that, for me, no way was I trenching and laying conduit and running wires on the scale required. (Pun intended).
Les W.
Wes,
Thanks for the compliment. I've been there and done that on my previous layout and it did work. It was not cheap or easy which is one reason I went RC battery power this time around. The major reason though was track polishing. I hated that.
I never understood why they called it a "WYES".
Think of it as a "TRIANGLE".
The wiring would make you think of going to battery power. Which has just as many limitations.
You will need to isolate the feed track to each switch. You will be changing polarity two times.
Wyes also limit the number of cars you can pull.
The maintenance factor increases greatly.
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