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Reversing Loops

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  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 27 posts
Posted by Mmbushnell on Monday, May 20, 2019 6:59 PM

I highly recommend Larry Puckett's excellent book, Wiring Your Model Railroad.  Larry covers reversing sections in some detail in his book, along with most other conceivable wiring situations.  His book is available new or used, and is well worth the few bucks it costs. 

His most practical approach to reversing sections: make the reversing track longer than your longest train, double isolate it on each end, and power it with a reliable type auto-reverser, such as a dual Frog Juicer or similar.   

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, May 20, 2019 3:47 PM

starman
How to identify them

Paint one side of a boxcar white the other black.  If on the same piece of track you see the white side one time and black the other, you have a reversing loop. 

Colors and type of rolling stock is optional.  If you only have rivet counter rolling stock, use a piece of blue painters tape.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • 144 posts
Posted by Lonehawk on Monday, May 20, 2019 2:57 PM

Have you checked out Allan Gartner's Wiring for DCC Website?  There's lots of great info there.  As to the fact that you're using Digitrax, I don't think it really matters what your system is.  From a wiring standpoint, DCC wiring is DCC wiring.

- Adam


When all else fails, wing it!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, May 20, 2019 2:56 PM
Stix
  • Member since
    July 2013
  • 245 posts
Reversing Loops
Posted by starman on Monday, May 20, 2019 2:29 PM

I am building an HO layout and using Digitrax as my train control.  Can someone lead me to a good tutorial about reversing loops?  How to identify them and how and where to add electronics that will control them.  Thanks

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