Reverse Loops

[railroader21]

Hi, I want to create a simple point to point layout, that will travel approximately 50ft and stop at two stations at each side.  I was wondering how I should go by doing this?  Any help would be greatly appreciated

-Thanks again

railroader21

[ttrigg]

Your title says reverse loops but your text say point to point. In point to point the track just ends, no special wiring needed, unless you install an auto-reversing unit. Train pulls in stops, waits, and then backs up all the way to the other end. Loop to loop is another issue, requiring some simple wiring. Main line will need a DPDT (possible center off, but not required). Center contacts will feed to mainline. Power supply will attach to opposite corners as in this drawing.

Turnouts (track switch) will need to be something like LGB Manual turnouts. When entering the points the train will turn one way into the loop. The spring holding to points in position are soft enough to allow the points to move without derailing the train when train enters from the "wrong" direction. Both rails in the loop will need isolators at the turnout with the rails receiving power straight from your transformer.

Of course you could convert your trains to battery power and avoid the wiring issue completely. You’ll need to get one of the other guys here to tell you how to do that, as I’m the original "Analog Dinosaur"

[kstrong]

There are a number of manufacturers who make automatic controls for the point-to-point operation you describe. Most trigger off of a magnet stuck to the bottom of the locomotive. Check the advertisements in GR. I recently did a review for the RR-Concepts "Yardmaster" which allows this as well as a bunch of other automation things. They also make a dedicated point-to-point control, which features a slowdown period so the train gradually comes to a stop instead of slamming to one. Regardless of whose system you use, you'll definitely want that feature in order to save the stress on gears and wearing the wheels and rails as the locomotive slides to a stop.

Later,

K

[DennisB]

AristoCraft makes a simple reversing unit and is around $100 or less. We have used it for train shows and displays and find that it works very well and easy to hook up.  Electrical know-how is not required. It is a very simple assembly. Dennis

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I think Massoth makes a reverse loop electrical-thing. I'll check.

[IRB Souther Engineer]

They do. Check it out in the April 2010 mag. (in the product reviews).