Lights, Cars, and Action

[pcarrell]

OK, here's the deal

I'm running DCC and I have a bunch of under table staging already laid in. It's basically a reverse loop to reverse loop setup. There is about 5inches of track between the two switches for the loops. I will be running heavyweight passenger cars and, while I know the locomotive will be clear of one switch before it gets to the next so theres no problem there, what about lighting the passenger cars?

They should clear one switch before they hit the next, but the whole train will not fit in the 5 inches of track at once (even in N scale, which I'm in) and so some of the train will be in each of the loops and on the 5 inch piece at the same time when I'm passing through this area.

I'm using a Digitrax PM42(?) to control the loops (I don't know if that helps in any way).

I'd like to be able to light the passenger cars but if I can't then I guess the last passenger run will have to be at sundown and the first at sunrise.

What'd ya think? [?]

[MisterBeasley]

You don't need to isolate the loops immediately after the switch. You can move the insulated joiners further down the track, either on the straight or curved path of the turnout, or both. As long as the whole passenger train fits between the 2 sets of insulated joiners, you should be all right. This should work for either DC or MANUAL DCC control.

I will defer to someone with more DCC experience on the subject of automatic DCC polarity flippers.

[pcarrell]

Sometimes the obvious is just too obvious!

I couldn't see the forest for all the trees!

I like your thinking. This may solve the whole problem. I can just install a jumper around the already installed insulator and since I haven't closed the loop yet I'll just drop another insulator into a more adventagous spot.

Maybe I just need a vacation!?

[rrinker]

Hmm, got a picture of the track arrangment? I'm having trouble picturing a reverse loop with TWO turnouts. Sounds more like a dogbone with a crossover.
In any case - just make the whole loop part insulated for the reverse section, that way you have a full train length.

--Randy

[pcarrell]

Sorry, I don't have a picture (not that technically savy).

It's basicaly two seperate reverse loops that are joined by a short straight section.

[rrinker]

And the straight is less than a train length, but the loops aren't?

Just make each loop a separate reversing section. That's the easiest way to go.

--Randy

[pcarrell]

Yeah, the loops are huge but the track that connects them is only 5 inches long and so I was afrain that I would freak my automated sensor out. I thought that it would probably sense all the lighted cars crossing from one loop to the next real quick like and just throw the system into overload and shut it down.

[NZRMac]

If your only using one sensor in two loops and one end of the train is in each loop the sensor will try to swap polarity for both loops and probably cause a short.

Ken.

[pcarrell]

Thats what I was afraid of.

Now the detector that I'm using is made to handle 4 sections so that isn't a problem.

I think MisterBeasley may have the solution for me.

If anyone else has a better idea I'm all ears.

Thanks,

[rrinker]

I guess I don;t get the picture of what this lookslike. I would have botht he straight and diverging lines of the turnout insulated in both rails and wire the loop portion to the PM42 for reversing. Same with the other loop. That's the simplest solution, although it does use 2 of your 4 sections. Plus a third section to provide short protection - each section is either a reverser or a breaker, not both, which is why I probably won't use PM42's even though I use Digitrax.

--Randy