I've spent quite a lot of time studying this layout and there is a detail that I just can't figure out. I'm hoping someone can take a couple minutes and explain it to me. The case study text says there is one turnout. To me it looks like two. So I'm seeing something that isn't there. If it's one I'm not sure where to put the insulated rail joiners. Best regards
Rick
If I had access to my books, I have at least one of the mentioned Atlas books which includes all the wiring. Digitrax isn't reproducing all that since that would be a copyright violation. The insulated joiners are all indicated int he illustration by gaps in the track lines. It looks like they are using the section from turnout 6 to turnout 8 as the reversing section - as originally wired for DC, you need to swap the 'main' as the train reverses direction. There's only one reverse loop (I assume that's what you mean instead of 'switch' - there are 18 switches on that layout (aka turnouts). There's basically an oval with a diagonal cut through it - you can only change from clockwise to counter-clockwise, you can't reverse back again without running the train backwards, the means only one reversing section (plus the turntable). With DCC, you'd probably isolate the diagonal track and make that the reversing section, if it is long enough to hold your longest train. If not, you could make one piece of the loop the reverse section, gapping both diverging legs of turnout 4, around to the straight leg of turnout 7.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you Randy. I'm still trying to get the correct terminology straight. You were able to get through my muddled question. I think what I was after was answered when you said to isolate the diagonal cut across the oval at the diverging track. So isolate at the diverging sections of turnout #4 & #7. I can see that running a locomotive clockwise around the oval then taking the #4 diverging turnout onto the diagonal cut works until you throw #7. Then the short.
Thanks again