can I do this? Have the balloon track and my main on the same power/polarity and just the reverser between the two change over and over?
EDIT* I think I see my problem.
This is the corrected pic. Sorry for the MSpaint haters!
Yeah, I think that would work electrically.
As with any reversing-section setup, you need to make sure that you can't be crossing two sets of rail gaps at the same time. So, the track between the upper gaps on the wye and the lower gaps on the "blue line" must be longer than your longest train. Assume you will have metal wheels on your caboose, observation car or last freight car, so "longest train" is really the correct measure here.
You also should not try to run two separate trains on this reversing section at once, regardless of length. That also poses the risk of bein over two gaps at the same time.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
You have a double wye, up there where it comes back on the main line the track has to be insulated and the power switched too!
OOPS...my bad I see where you already did that. Looks good to go!
Thanks for the replies. Now, I suppose some may be wondering why I am contemplating such a setup. What I did not put on the drawing is that the last (blue) portion is thru a wall going into another (utility) room. The wye I have out in sight for "operational" purposes, and the balloon loop for when I just want to run (loop) trains, and possibly some hidden staging.
The PSX-AR worked perfectly out of the box. Thanks for the recommendation.
Randy- I only read the "quick-start" sheet
EDIT: Never mind. I see you already caught your mistake.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Club I belong to has a similar situation, except that the loop portion is really an interchange with a narrow gage line that has some dual gage trackage. That's a long story.
Anyway, why don't you put the gaps for the wye tracks as close to the frogs of the two turnouts coming off the main as you can. This will allow a few more carlengths in any train occupying the reversing section.
One thing I just thought of:
If you have a train enter the wye, and cross the gaps, and have another train cross the reverse loop gaps at the same time, you'll still have a short.
It's doubtful that you'll do this however as you'll foul the only line you have.
-D
I'd move the two gaps in the wye legs up as close as possible to the mainline turnouts. That will allow for a longer train in the reverse section.
I set up a Onetrak module layout last weekend using a similar configuration. Worked fine all weekend.
Martin Myers