I am approaching the end of track laying on my new layout and I have a question for location of a reversing section; Main line is a very long loop with staging yard connected to both ends, there are several towns, two branch lines, and an intermediate yard along the loop. So should the entire yard be the reverse section or can I use a section (hidden) where the line returns - do reversing units like DCC Specialties PSX-AR work on trains coming from either direction? I haven't found any online discussions regarding this situation. Thanks for any help.
Without a track diagram it's impossible for us to know, but it sounds to me like there is no reverse loop in your layout.
Unless at least one tracable rail pair on your layout turns back on itself, or unless that pair meets with a rail of opposite polarity electrically, you must gap in two places and reverse between those gaps. The reverser will not care into which end the electrical item enters the controlled length of track. It takes as its reference AND power source the same bus as the rest of the layout that is not being reversed. So, that earlier/outside polarity is what it takes for power to the rails it is protecting, but it also takes that orientation as its default. When a train or electrical passenger car's metal tires cross the one gap that is contrary, the reverser detects that discord and immediately switches the section it is managing.
Crandell
From your description there is no reverse loop since the entire layout is a loop--at least that's how I understand it.
If you have a mainline with loops at each end, then that's very different. You need a reverser wherever the tracks double back on themselves, including Ys. I really like the PSX-AR. I think you can download the instructions and they will explain where you need to install.
Richard
Thanks for the input. Yes it is a large balloon shape with a common staging yard at the base. I will try to make up a sketch and post it.
rws1225 Thanks for the input. Yes it is a large balloon shape with a common staging yard at the base. I will try to make up a sketch and post it.
If you are going to take the time to make a sketch of your layout, and that would be helpful, use two different color pens or pencils and draw both rails, one in each color. If there is a color mismatch at any point along the rails, that is a point of reverse polarity that will require a toggle switch or auto-reverse unit to reverse the polarity and prevent a short.
Rich
Alton Junction
rws1225Main line is a very long loop with staging yard connected to both ends, there are several towns, two branch lines, and an intermediate yard along the loop.
The reversing section needs to be only as long as the longest train to be run through it. Even then that assumes metal wheels or conducting.
do reversing units like DCC Specialties PSX-AR work on trains coming from either direction?
I think Texas Zephyr answered my main question. Thanks for all the answers.
The reversing section doesn't have to be longer than the train passing through it. You can double gap each end, providing the distance between the gaps is longer than any one truck that might be picking up electricity. So, only your longest truck needs to be considered, and that can be safely handled inside of sufficiently long gapped lengths on either end of the reversed section. So say the instructions for the PSX series, and so I have done on my latest layout.