I would like to know if it is possible to build 1 reverse loop that could handle tracks entering the loop from 2 opposite directions (one train would be in loop at a time of course) and then return back. My example would be a north bound track entering the loop and returning back going south and also a south bound track entering the same loop and returning back going north. I have laid out the track and 6 switches to do this, however Can this be done electrically and what components would be required. Thanks for any help
A picture or diagram would help. LIONS do not do DCC, but if it will do DC correctly then it should do DCC correctly too.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
If it's a single loop, you should be able to do it with a single DCC autoreverser.
But, they devil is in the details, and one of those is the track configuration and how the turnouts are located. For that, I'll ROAR with the Lion and suggest a diagram. We're not particular or fussy. Draw it with a pencil, scan it or take a picture, put it up on Photobucket or wherever and post it.
The key to getting it right is where you make the breaks in the track to isolate the loop.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have a picture scanned on my computer but still trying to figure out how to attach it.
I have one single loop with 4 switches on the loop for a total of 4 enters and exits within the loop. 2 of the switches go to another (5th) switch outside the loop for north bound trains going into the loop and the other 2 switches go to another (6th) switch outside the loop for south bound trains going into the loop.
Its like taking 2 seperate reverse loops going opposite directions and combining the 2 into one loop (sharing one single loop)
You cannot "attach" it on this forum.
You have to post it to a third party server like Photobucket and then link it to this thread.
Can you email the diagram to one of us and we can post it for you?
Rich
Alton Junction
That would be great. What address do I email picture to?
Vieredy That would be great. What address do I email picture to?
I will send you a PM with my email address.
Vieredy I have a picture scanned on my computer but still trying to figure out how to attach it. I have one single loop with 4 switches on the loop for a total of 4 enters and exits within the loop. 2 of the switches go to another (5th) switch outside the loop for north bound trains going into the loop and the other 2 switches go to another (6th) switch outside the loop for south bound trains going into the loop. Its like taking 2 seperate reverse loops going opposite directions and combining the 2 into one loop (sharing one single loop)
I think I understand what you are talking about without a diagram. Insulate both rails on each leg of turnout #5 and turnout #6, and have everything between those turnouts as one block connected to the output of the auto-reverser.
Everyone,
richhotrain is helping me out by sending a diagram. I appreciate everyone's help thus far. Thanks much
Vieredy Everyone, richhotrain is helping me out by sending a diagram. I appreciate everyone's help thus far. Thanks much
I sent you a PM with my email address. Still waiting for you to email the track diagram.
richhotrain,
I sent you a email last night and just now again. You might want to check your spam. My email address is vieredy@cox.net if you want to send me an email I can just reply to if needed. Thanks again for all your help.
Ed
Ed,
I guess my computer didn't like your scan so it dumped it into Spam. Sorry about that.
Attached is your drawing. You can certainly use one auto-reverser to isolate a single reversing section of track. It is all in the wiring as to where you create the reversing section and how long you need it to be.
Those two turnouts at the upper right portion of the circle would be one way to do it by gapping the end rails of those two turnouts, assuming that gives you enough length. But there are other ways to do this as well.
For example, you could make the entire circle a reversing section by gapping the rails of those four turnouts just outside the circle.
So treat it like one reverse loop, with only one auto reverser. I am also understanding that your saying gaping only one of switches outside the loop and not both switches outside the loop. By the way, I am using Digitrax DCS100 system and if that is the case I will get an AR1, and not borrow a district from my PM42. I also have a BD150 that I am using as a booster, so I could also use the internal auto reverser in that. My main concern was if I needed 2 auto reversers for this and if what I drew was possible.
Thab
Thanks for your help
One way to do it is to gap the rails as shown in the first drawing below.
Another way to do it is to gap the rails to make the circle the reversing circle as shown in the second drawing.
There are some other ways as well if you want the reversing section in a different position.
One auto-reverser will do it, and the Digitrax AR-1 is perfect for that purpose.
If you wanted to manually reverse the polarity, you could simply install a DPDT switch.
.
richhotrain
Rich,
This is almost right. Move the dots to the other leg of those turnouts and make THOSE sections the isolated reversing sections. I don't think you want the whole loop as a reversing section and it would need to be gapped other places to work like in your diagram.
Yes, you only need one reverser for this, as you'll be going through it one way or the other, but never both at the same time. In DCC, set it up with decoderized turnouts, then program a Macro for each of the ways you'll go through to make it a one-button function.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Mike, I was having a difficult time posting two alternative solutions just as you were posting your reply.
Take another look at my post before yours and tell me what you think.
mlehman richhotrain Rich, This is almost right. Move the dots to the other leg of those turnouts and make THOSE sections the isolated reversing sections. I don't think you want the whole loop as a reversing section and it would need to be gapped other places to work like in your diagram. Yes, you only need one reverser for this, as you'll be going through it one way or the other, but never both at the same time. In DCC, set it up with decoderized turnouts, then program a Macro for each of the ways you'll go through to make it a one-button function.
Mike, are you objecting to making the entire circle a reversing section because it won't work or because two locos might be entering/exiting simultaneously?
Rich .... I have a loop similar to your drawing.This loop surounds my downtown section of the layout. It has a double track main line entering from one direction with the loop providing the ability for trains to return from where the came on the opposite mainline track.
The other two entry points are from the Union Station section with multiple tracks. Trains can be turned by pulling them through the loop. A passenger train departing Union Station begins its trip by going around the loop. Next, it enters the main line headed for points beyond.
I am using an MRC auto reverse for this, and most of the time it works okay. My system is an MRC Prodigy Wireless with an MRC power booster.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Garry, I am reading this fast so maybe you mentioned it, but which part of your track work forms the reversing section?
Rich .... The double track main line shares the same reverse loop as the tracks from Union Station. There are two clockwise entry points and two counterclockwise entry points.
Garry,
Any problem with multiple locos entering and exiting the reversing section simultaneously?
Rich .... I can have a multi-unit consist enter with one train at one entry point, and exit at one exit point. I never have two trains crossing the insulated joints at the same time. Also, I never have a train stopped on an insulated joint while another train is crossing at another insulated joint.
Your drawing is how I understood your description. Here is a drawing showing the solution I described:
This is electrically the same as Rich's second suggestion, but having the insulated sections closer to the turnouts outside the loop makes the reversing sections as long as possible.
Here is another variation, moving the reversing section to the bottom, the opposite side of the first diagram.
richhotrain mlehman richhotrain Rich, This is almost right. Move the dots to the other leg of those turnouts and make THOSE sections the isolated reversing sections. I don't think you want the whole loop as a reversing section and it would need to be gapped other places to work like in your diagram. Yes, you only need one reverser for this, as you'll be going through it one way or the other, but never both at the same time. In DCC, set it up with decoderized turnouts, then program a Macro for each of the ways you'll go through to make it a one-button function. Mike, are you objecting to making the entire circle a reversing section because it won't work or because two locos might be entering/exiting simultaneously?
The sections I was referring to are the short ones that are centered at 4:30 and 10:30 on the big circle. Those would let you operate with trains passing straight through on the rest of the track, which is a certain advantage. It also minimizes use of the reversing section except for trains actually doing so. Auto-reversers are more reliable than in the past, but I always believe in minimzing wear and tear by design if at all possible.
Note that your design in your last comment just above this would also work.
I presume you would have two trains crossing the gaps at the same time. These are short sections where the train would foul other traffic if it did so , unless you're just running a motocar or RDC. Then I could see maybe have two seprata reversers. The key would be making those short sections of track long enough for your longest diesel lashup, otheriwse that might cause some stumbles.
mlehman ... Rich, The sections I was referring to are the short ones that are centered at 4:30 and 10:30 on the big circle. Those would let you operate with trains passing straight through on the rest of the track, which is a certain advantage...
...
The sections I was referring to are the short ones that are centered at 4:30 and 10:30 on the big circle. Those would let you operate with trains passing straight through on the rest of the track, which is a certain advantage...
I don't understand your objection. The diagram you are referring to, as well as the electrically equivalent one I posted, would allow trains to pass straight through on the rest of the track.
Vieredy I would like to know if it is possible to build 1 reverse loop that could handle tracks entering the loop from 2 opposite directions (one train would be in loop at a time of course) and then return back. My example would be a north bound track entering the loop and returning back going south and also a south bound track entering the same loop and returning back going north. I have laid out the track and 6 switches to do this, however Can this be done electrically and what components would be required. Thanks for any help
Hi
I read all of the posts in this thread. And if I missed this I'm sorry. But I think you should make the reverse loop as big as possible. I mean make gaps as far away from each other as possible. Your train can only be as long as the gaped insulation. At your shortest points within the gap you might not be able to run a longer train without an interruption. The interruption will occur when for example the engine leaves the insulated loop and a portion of the train has yet to enter the insulated loop. The reverse loop will not function properly when that happens. I see that you might have a problem when the train enters the circle and exits at the quarter portion of that circle.
This is my loop. I made it as long as I could so a long train will have no problems
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No_sFEol9s8
JC
JC,
Mine wasn't so much an objection as a preference. Yours will work and may be the best choice in some cases. Yours doesn't have a through route that's not a reversing section. Rich's splits the difference, between our extremes, having one route through without reversing and the other with it. All should work.
It's true that some reversers are happier if the entire train is in the reversing section. If the rolling stock fleet is cheesy and all plastic wheels, not an issue. But some are fine if you get all the motive power into the reversing section and stop, then proceed. My PSX-AR calls for some extra gaps, which I'm going to leave to the instructions explain, but they promise it will work as I indicated with these slight mods.
Of course, one's comfort level with wiring up and programming reverser's can vary. I'm with you on generally making the reversing blocks as long as the longest train, but I can see needing to do it another way, also.
What we don't know are the dimensions of the OP's layout and the size of the circle in question.
It may be quite small or it may be a large oval of track rather than a small circle.
The dimensions of this layout will have a lot to do with how best to design and wire the reversing section.