Hi All,
Well im at a complicated situation, i have a helix that has 2 switches that allows the train to come up and go down on the main level. On the main level i wouyld like to be able to have the train come out of either up or down and be able to go either way again back down or up again. the only way i see this happening is using a series of what I think are reverse loops, i have a digram and need help ifd anyone has any insight that woiuld be a gereat help!!! Im not evenb sure if this is possible. i have included a pic. The outside track is just a loop that i have not decieded to connect anywhere yet. i am not sure where to cut the track for the reverse loops or if there is an easier design to do this. i only show the main level.
Thanks!!!!!!
Sure it's possible, and it's really not that complicated.
As far as the helix goes, the point where you marked the 'X' is not a reverse loop; the track simply folds back onto itself without any reverse polarity.
You do have a reverse loop where the figure 8 returns to the main track. As you move down your diagram from the helix, the first turnout on the left and the first turnout on the right cause reverse polarity where the divergent tracks re-enter the main track. If you are confident that only one train will ever be on the figure 8 at any one time, you could treat the entire figure 8 as one reverse loop and place gaps in the rails at the ends of the divergent tracks where they lead into the figure 8.
Just be sure that the entire length of the figure 8 is longer than the longest train that might enter the figure 8. I can't tell from your diagram whether the figure 8 is an over-and-under or a 90 degree crossing. If it is a 90 degree crossing, then the longest train will be shorter than the reverse loop; otherwise, the train would run into itself.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the details, you do make it easier to understand, the X's on my diagram were not of anything important, just left over when I drew it, sorry for confusuion, I knew the reverse loops was after the figure 8 but it loooked like I had 2 reverse loops that were connected inside each other, the section at crossing is going to be a 90 degree but could easily become an over and under if needed. If I use an automatic reverseing unit would I still have to be concerned runing only one train at a time in the figure 8? If thats the case i don t want to limit myself to that and may opt for a redesign, posssibly adding another helix inside my helix for a return trip. is there a way of segmenting it and running more than 1 train in the figure 8?
Thanks for all your help!! apprecaite it!!!
Ward
Ward,
An auto-reversing unit is going to sense reversed polarities and attempt to flip them so that the polarity of the isolated reversing section matches the polarity of the adjacent rails outside the reversing section.
You still need to be concerned, however, about the length of the train(s) in the reversing section rather than the number of trains.
The number of trains is more operational than anything in that multiple trains need to be spaced properly from one another to avoid rear-ending one another or colliding into one another at the crossing.
The length of the train(s) is critical to the proper operation of the auto-reversing unit. If an engine, or a powered car such as a lighted passenger car, is entering the reversing section at the same time as another engine, or powered car such as a lighted passenger car, is exiting the reversing section, the auto-reversing unit will not operate properly since it is getting mixed signals in terms of trying to match polarities. So, in the case of two trains within the reversing section, for example, if the engine or a powered car of one train is entering the reversing section at the same time that the engine or a powered car of the other train is exiting the reversing section, you are going to have a problem. That's why the reversing section needs to be longer than the longest train(s) that might enter it.