Where can I find a wiring diagram for a reverse loop using two-cab control? I've found plenty of digrams that show cab control (with both rails isolated), and plenty of diagrams that show the reverse loop, but how do I combine them? Can one (or both) of the polarity-changing toggles be combined with the cab-selector toggle? Where on the track schematic on my control panel should I mount the polarity-changing toggles so that they can be distinguished from the cab-selector toggles? I want the option of bi-directional travel within the reverse loop.
Thanks so much!
Here's a link to the Atlas 220 controller, it will make your life easier along with their other switches.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Atlas-220-Controller-p/atl-220.htm
Instructions for what you want to do are included. Common rail wiring.
Richard
Michael,
To The Forums.
You will have to treat the reversing section as a block. With one dpdt toggle, one toggle for cab A & B. The block control toggle before the reversing section. The two center term. of the block toggle, go to the train power term on the toggle switch as in the wiring diagram on this site, that shows the wiring with one cab. When tapping into that toggle before the reversing section, you will have control of the reversing section, with either cab A or cab B. Your block control toggles should all be dpdt center off toggles, but the reversing section can just be a dpdt. The only draw back is if you use a manual turnout throw, you will have to stop the train before proceeding into the reversing section. This is for two wire insulated two cab control...not common rail.
I have a large DC layout 3 cab....but I avoid reversing sections like the plague. I just can't see creating a short on purpose. I would rather redesign my track plan. Click on link, for site and diagram:
https://www.azatrax.com/model-railroad-reverse-loop.html
Take Care!
Frank
BTW: You can have the reversing section toggle next to the block toggle before the reversing section on your control panel.
Michael PentecostCan one (or both) of the polarity-changing toggles be combined with the cab-selector toggle? Where on the track schematic on my control panel should I mount the polarity-changing toggles so that they can be distinguished from the cab-selector toggles? I want the option of bi-directional travel within the reverse loop.
the following diagrams shows how there is a reversing switch for both the main and the reversing section. (any reversing switch on the throttle itself is not used). These reversing switches can be thought of as controlling the direction on the main as either west/east and the direction in the reversing section(s) as clockwise/counter-clockwise.
cab control switches connect the output of the reversing switches to either the main block(s) or the reversing section block(s). Of course the throttle need only be connected to one reversing section at a time and the reversing section reversing switch controls the polarity of all reversing sections that a throttle may be connected to (only one reversing section reversing switch is needed).
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Thank you, Greg. The light bulb above my head is starting to get brighter. Track plan #28 in my vintage copy of Linn Westcott's 101 Track Plans has three reversing sections. Are you saying that I need only one reversing DPDT to control all three? I suppose one of them could be considered the main, which would have its own reversing DPDT, but could the other two be controlled by a single reversing DPDT?
And thanks for the suggestion to think of the DPDT's as controlling east/west and counter-/clockwise.
Frank, thanks for the explanation of the wiring and the suggestion for toggle placement (and I didn't even want to try common rail wiring). From my vintage copy of Linn Westcott's 101 Track Plans, I chose track plan #28 because of my available space and because of its elevation changes, not thinking ahead of the wiring difficulties (it has three reversing sections!). As I told Greg, the light bulb above my head is getting brighter though.
Michael PentecostAre you saying that I need only one reversing DPDT to control all three? I suppose one of them could be considered the main, which would have its own reversing DPDT, but could the other two be controlled by a single reversing DPDT?
yes, all main line blocks are controlled by one reversing (DPDT) switch and all reversing sections are controlled by a 2nd reversing (DPDT) switch as the diagram shows.
in the same way that multiple main line blocks can be connected by cab control switches to the throttle thru its main line reversing switch even though all the connected blocks are not occupied by a locomotive, multiple reversing sections can be similarly connected by cab control switches to the throttle thru a 2nd reversing section reversing switch even though only one reversing section may be occupied.
Greg:
If I need only one reversing DPDT to change the polarity of both reversing blocks, and one to change the polarity of the mainline, where on my control panel should I mount the reversing DPDTs? I know that I can mount them anywhere, but where would they be most convenient for each operator? (I'm wiring for two controllers.)
I see Greg has not answered yet. Were it be me. I would have used a DPDT for each reversing section. That way two operators can use either one when they choose, not having one change both. What happens if one operator changes it for himself and the other operator is going the opposite direction? One will have to stop, until the other clears, so he can use it.
As far as where to put it. That depends on how will two operators be able to work off one control panel and whether you will be with your train while operating with a tethered hand held. if that be the case, put it on your fasia near the reversing section. If control panel, put it in the center of the loop that it controls.
Michael PentecostIf I need only one reversing DPDT to change the polarity of both reversing blocks, and one to change the polarity of the mainline, where on my control panel should I mount the reversing DPDTs?
next to the control panel that selects which cab/throttle controls the reversing section and nearby mainline blocks ?
zstripeI would have used a DPDT for each reversing section. That way two operators can use either one when they choose, not having one change both. What happens if one operator changes it for himself and the other operator is going the opposite direction?
each operator controls a separate cab and each cab has two reversing switches: one for the mainline and one for the reversing section blocks it is connected to regardless of the number of reversing sections (assuming at least 1).
hopefully the following explanation is obvious
when an operator (cab-A) approaches a reversing section, the block control switches for the nearby mainline blocks and the reversing section are positioned so that they are controlled by cab-A, and the cab-A reversing switch is alligned to match the mainline polarity at the end of the reversing section being entered. Once in the reversing section and assuming the train will exit the opposite end of the reversing section, the cab-A mainline reversing switch is toggled to match the reversing section polarity at the reversing section end the train will re-enter the mainline at. With separate mainline and reversing section reversing switches, there is no need for a train to stop while moving through a reversing section.
If another operator (cab-B) is also moving through a different reversing section, the cab-B reversing switches similarly control the polarity of the mainline and reversing sections cab-B is connected to through the block control switches.
the block control switches can only connect one cab to a mainline or reversing section block through that cab's mainline and reversing section reversing switches. A single cab can be connected to any or all mainline or reversing sections.
Michael PentecostTrack plan #28 in my vintage copy of Linn Westcott's 101 Track Plans has three reversing sections.
Since it is a loop-to-loop plan you could do with just one DPDT on the main line but you would always have to go through loops in the same direction. Not a lot of fun and just generally not recommended.
Plenty of DC locomotives and DC power packs are still offered for sale, which leads me to assume that DC layouts are still being built and maintained (and while the day is surely coming soon, at this point our Z scale colleagues have only a few locomotives that can be equipped with DCC so it is a DC hobby for many of them too).
And yet to my knowledge Kalmbach does not have a really complete DC wiring book available since they let Andy Sperandeo's (itself a replacement for Linn Westcott's) go out of print. Ironically the only thing really obsolete about Andy's book (unless you regard DC in its entirely to be obsolete which I suppose it is or soon will be) was his discussion of DCC. At this point they could eliminate his DCC chapter and the book would still be up to date and useful for those asking DC related questions such as this one.
Dave Nelson
Texas Zepher I just looked at that track plan. I am not seeing a 3rd reversing section.
I just looked at that track plan. I am not seeing a 3rd reversing section.
You're right. I was thinking of the mainline from Arsenal Tower, through Rock Island, River St., and Davenport Junction, back to Arsenal tower, as a reversing section. After more reading (thanks to all who have been sending me comments) and thought, I know I need a reversing DPDT for the mainline and for the two reversing sections (Moline Junction and Catfish Curve).
Michael
Dave:
I wasn't ready to invest the money in DCC equipment for such a small layout (3.5 X 4), nor was I ready to invest the time to learn how to operate whichever system I would have chosen--but the money was the main drawback.
I suppose I should have checked Amazon or eBay for vintage copies of Westcott's or Sperandeo's book. (Kalmbach, are you reading this?)