Hey All
I have a question about my track work, I'm not using a reverse loop on my mainline, it's going to be a simple return track, BUT here's the question, on the return side of the loop there's a short!!! I understand if it was a reversal loop and I didn't have a cut in the track or a insulated rail joiner, but it's a simple return track, with a small classification yard?!?! I don't get it what gives??? Thanks guys, Help needed here!!!!
Return Track?
Sounds like you have a Reverse Loop.
Suggest you post track plan.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Hi TrainsRMe1,
Would it be possible to post a track plan?
Something that might help you to understand where the short is would be to trace your track plan with two different coloured pencils, i.e. red and blue. Start tracing where you know there isn't a short and then follow along the track. The colours should never intersect. In other words, if you get to the point where the red rail meets the blue rail then that tells you approximately where the short is. You will have to do a little more head scratching to identify exactly where the polarity crosses over.
One minor point. This thread would be better placed in the Electronics and DCC forum. The moderators may move it there. No big deal.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Yes, Please post a sketch of the track that is giving you troubles.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
If the train can come back on the same piece of track but going the opposite direction without picking it up and turnign it around - you have a reverse loop even if it's not exactly a 'loop' shape.
It's it's just a plain oval shape, where the train is always moving the same way, then you have some feeders hooked up backwards. If it's just another track that comes back and joins the main, like a V shape, you have some feeders wired backwards. If the two wide legs of the V connect together such that you can head towards the point of the V on one side and end up facing off the open end on the other side, you have a wye, which is also a reversing section.
With so many possibilities - you can see why a diagram is required!
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I normally operate my layout on DC in counter wise direction so the engineers side rail is positive. Make sure all rail positive feeders are on the same rail, in my case the outside rail red wire. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
TrainsRMe1I'm not using a reverse loop on my mainline, it's going to be a simple return track, BUT here's the question, on the return side of the loop there's a short!!! I understand if it was a reversal loop and I didn't have a cut in the track or a insulated rail joiner, but it's a simple return track
Unless I'm totally missing what you mean by "return track" you're describing a reversing loop.
Any loop, wye, or other connecting track that allows a train to end up travelling in the opposite direction must be handled in the same fashion.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
cv_acrUnless I'm totally missing what you mean by "return track" you're describing a reversing loop.
I am thinking it is either a run-around or a wye arrangement.
Hopefully a sketch is coming.
It could be an unintended reversing section, frog-to-frog power routing problem, feeder wire past the frog, etc. etc.
Hi Guys
I'm having problems with posting pictures, I hope to figure it out soon so I could post a sketch.
You can email it to me and I will post it.
SeeYou190 You can email it to me and I will post it. -Kevin
Hello All,
Another way to "trace" the electrical path of your track is to take a car and put colored tape on each side.
On my DCC pike the polarity of the track is the "Left" rail is "Black" and the "Right" rail is "Red" in the "Forward" direction.
Manually- -0-5-0- -push the car through your track arrangement.
If, at some point, the color code of the car is "reversed" that indicates that you have a reversing section.
Keep running the car until the color code on the car matches the color polarity of the track. That will indicate the end of the reversed section.
These two points are where you will need to gap the track and use an auto-reversing unit to power this section of track.
If no polarity "shift" occurs as you move this car over your trackage then you have no reversing section.
Then your focus should turn to "reversed" or out-of-phase track feeders as has been previously posted.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
TrainsRMe:
Just click on my STRATTON AND GILLETTE avatar to the left, and that will take you to the "about me" page.
My email address is listed on the right.
rrebellKevin, you are so nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why these forums work!
For posting photos, see the related thread storage General Discussions section. You need to use a photo hosting site such as Flickr, imgur, etc. Then you can copy and paste the image code into your post.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
TrainsRMe1 I just called my LHS and talked to the expert train guy there, about my track problem, I think I got it solved, Thanks again, and I'll get posting of pictures down yet, I have so many that I want to post!!!! Lol
Glad to hear everything worked out well.
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Have fun!
Give us a hint what the LHS said
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I'm leaning toward a Peco power-routing turnout that got feed from his siding/accessory track that he mentioned, and the feeders were reversed. If not that, then he has a gap partway around that return half-loop and it was reverse fed at that point.
selectorI'm leaning toward a Peco power-routing turnout that got feed from his siding/accessory track that he mentioned, and the feeders were reversed.
Probably,... but right now we are all feeling like we just kissed our sister, or for the women in the forum, our brother.
Heck it's 2021, we all just kissed our brother who was our sister before the operation.