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Question about auto reverse on DCC layout

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  • Member since
    September 2003
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Posted by mlehman on Monday, June 8, 2020 4:13 AM

I try to make the reversing section the simplest side of the wye. That keeps things  as simple as possible, as I tend to find that thinking about reversing sections is a little like thinking about algebra. It makes my brain hurt.

Often, this is the tail track, often the leg farthest away and often the shortest section holding just enough train length to allow for the needed reversal of equipment. This is probably more often the case on model RRs, where track is jammed in, but I've seen wyes long enough for just the motive power being used in 1:1, too.

This also makes it easier to confine a reversing section neatly to a specific piece of track as I plan the wiring, etc.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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    July 2006
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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 10:22 PM

Thanks, thats what I thought.

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    February 2017
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Posted by Deane Johnson on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 8:01 PM

I believe I have what you are describing and I only have one leg with a reversing section.

The leg that connects to the through track with the same phasing for both the Y section and the through track doesn't need reversing.  It would never be triggered since both are in phase at all times.

The other leg is effectively joining a track that's 180 degrees out of phase with the wye, so the reversing action keeps the phase to the engine correct through the process.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Question about auto reverse on DCC layout
Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 7:53 PM

I have what amoubts to a turnaround Y with the upper part of the wye coming off the main layout and converging on the single leg to a yard. Do I need to  do two reversing sections or can it be on one leg only. Hope I explaned it right.

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