Wye Wiring & Auto Reverse

[shanny10]

Doing steam era 50's, have no passenger cars yet but figure on 4 cars plus the engine. I guess once I layout track I can see what length train will work, I thank you for pointing this out. Only was thinking about wye, kinda near sited thinking on my part. This layout will use lit passenger when we get them, this started out simple but went big and just trying to forsee any wiring issues now,all replies much appreciated. Not scared of any wiring or other tasks, just trying avoid short site mistakes. More the merrier on replies, thats why I asked.

[G Paine]

An important thing t consider in designing a reverse loop or wye is the length of train that you will be running. If you will be running any cars that take any power, like a lighted passenger car, you could end up with a conflict with the auto reverser. First the locomotive trips the reverser to the correct polarity on the entrance end of the loop. Next the locomotive trips it again at the other end of the loop for correct exit polarity. If there are lighted passenger cars that have not entered the loop or isolated wye, they will trip the reverser again, possibly causing a short.

It may be a bit difficult to explain in words, but if you follow the track plan and imagine the polarity changes, you will (hopefully) see what I mean.

[shanny10]

Have not yet picked an AR, still looking them over as we have little time yet before wiring. Still constructing upper layout, should have by weekend and track layout can begin to align everything. Been waiting on LHS for flex track for whole upper plan, everything in code 100 main and code 83 in both yard areas.

[mlehman]

If it was me, I'd use the lower right segment of the wye as the reversing section. Yes, both tracks need to be gapped. However, unless you anticipate two trains moving through the reversing section at the same time, you could get away with using just the single auto-reverser on both tracks.

You didn't mention which auto-reverser you plan on using. I really happy with my PSX-AR auto-reversers.

[shanny10]

I have posted a proposed track plan we're building and am in question  of where I should gap tracks for wye, I am thinking both tracks need thier own A/R and need gapped outside wye area at all three points ? This plan isn't final for the connection to the 2 layout section but all tracks shown will be connected. We already had lower half layout started when we wanted a roundhouse and future mining, this should give us that possability for the future expansion off upper layout to a shelf plan later. Plus dad wanted more than around and around operation. Will show progress pic's later in the week of what we have and the new section add-on.