Clockwise or counter clockwise ?Which way do you run ?

[cnw1995]

Wow, from whence do these old threads appear? I know the way I run my trains - clockwise of course - is the only manly way to do it.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Let's stir the pot. 

I wonder what Lionel or MTH recommends ??????

Also,......if you run the same direction all the time....Will you wear out one side of your tracks ???? Hmmmmmmmmm.........

This has got to be the ...............................

[fifedog]

With an elongated figure 8 with a passing siding, you can run in either direction.  Wanting to be railroad oriented, I tend to run trains north or south.

Now if you are in Niagara Falls, I think you have to run clockwise in the summer, and counter-clockwise in the winter...

[Birds]

How do you get trains to go counter clockwise?  I can only get mine to go forward and reverse.

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

How do you get trains to go counter clockwise?  I can only get mine to go forward and reverse.

 

You need Lionel Part No. C-CW001 and put it under the track and connect it to the U post on your transformer.  MTH has something similar, but I haven't memorized their catalog this year.

[laz 57]

For running MTH you need the DCS controller and hit the "any key".

laz57

[Birds]

Oh!!!  More parts!  Whew.

You see, I am using "reversing" loops on my layout.  I was afraid I was going to have to add "counter-clockwise" loops and I don't have any more room for track.

Oh and just for the record, my trains run both directions depending on the situation because they are registered as independents. 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Now, if there were only DIGITAL clocks, then there would be NO clockwise or counterclockwise. Then we'd have to run trains by the Jetstream air currents. BUT, only in the North. In the South, they would run trains by the " spit in the wind " method.

[Anonymous]

Now, if there were only DIGITAL clocks, then there would be NO clockwise or counterclockwise. Then we'd have to run trains by the Jetstream air currents. BUT, only in the North. In the South, they would run trains by the " spit in the wind " method.

Always spit with the wind... spitting against the wind is not recommended...

[dgraham]

I've always run my trains clockwise and I don't have the slightest idea why.

[tschmidt]

I run mine clockwise...unless I'm going backwards. 

[IronHoarse]

It seems to me that if you have a loop of track and you use both forward and reverse then you run both clock wise and counter clock wise.  So then my answer would have to be both.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Seriously speaking..... If you run your trains in reverse, then I would have to ask the question....Is your engine first, or last ?? And which way is it pointing?? If it is going in reverse counterclockwise, then your engine is pointed clockwise. Or is it the reverse of that ? Hmmmmm.....This is getting complicated.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Seriously speaking..... If you run your trains in reverse, then I would have to ask the question....Is your engine first, or last ?? And which way is it pointing?? If it is going in reverse counterclockwise, then your engine is pointed clockwise. Or is it the reverse of that ? Hmmmmm.....This is getting complicated.

Chuck, just remember that R x T = D.   That should clear it up.

  

[Blueberryhill RR]

Seriously speaking..... If you run your trains in reverse, then I would have to ask the question....Is your engine first, or last ?? And which way is it pointing?? If it is going in reverse counterclockwise, then your engine is pointed clockwise. Or is it the reverse of that ? Hmmmmm.....This is getting complicated.

Chuck, just remember that R x T = D.   That should clear it up.

Now, I get it.        I had R + T = D.     Sorry, my error.

[darianj]

Clockwise...If I ever move south of the equator, the I'll switch to counter-clockwise.

[csxt30]

Seriously speaking..... If you run your trains in reverse, then I would have to ask the question....Is your engine first, or last ?? And which way is it pointing?? If it is going in reverse counterclockwise, then your engine is pointed clockwise. Or is it the reverse of that ? Hmmmmm.....This is getting complicated.

Chuck, just remember that R x T = D.   That should clear it up.

Now, I get it.        I had R + T = D.     Sorry, my error.

OK, now I finally have it cleared up too !!  I had D + R =  T  !!  My Math ain't what it usesd to be !!

Thanks, John 

[traindaddy1]

When I retired, I tossed out the clock. Now, I'm too old to remember which was which!  I do see the trains running in all directions.....even off the track.  Thanks for asking.

[lionelsoni]

If I run my F3s deasil, should I run my Hudson widdershins?

[Anonymous]

How do you get trains to go counter clockwise?   I can only get mine to go forward and reverse.

 

I believe Lionel has solved this problem with their new Legacy Command System, by pressing the Control Direction buttons.

 

[prewardude]

I actually run mine in both directions (but not at the same time!). That way the wheels wear evenly. HA!

 - Clint 

[thatboy37]

dont have any running now but whenever i do get them running. whatever direction they can run i will run them in. what i have noticed from the layout around the christmas tree it is running in clockwise. by the way i finally took down the tree today.

 

 

[dougdagrump]

Depends on whether you are standing and looking down, or on the floor looking up.

[underworld]

Both. I don't think either direction happens significantly more than the other.

 

underworld

[bfskinner]

Lionelsoni asked "If I run my F3s deasil, should I run my Hudson widdershins?"

Bob, ignoring the alliterative delight of running a diesel deasil, it all depends on whether your middle name is Dexter.

[Birds]

If I run my F3s deasil, should I run my Hudson widdershins?

Hoot laddie, ye canna race yer F3's in the hoose at aw.

[thor]

Well being a carpet central man it all depends as no layout lasts past a day!  However which way I run all depends on where I put the turnouts because the last thing I want to do is back a long train out of an uneven siding, its asking for a derailment. It doesnt matter so much if it derails into the siding I can clear that whilst keeping the mainline open. So thats it really.

[Bubba]

OK you guys are making me disey and i am a newbe (he he he)

[anjdevil2]

Well, the way my layout is currently configured is that it advances to the North and then retreats South.....

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm also run the Express on the Carpet line, and I've got my schedule so I run Clockwise on days that are spelled with an "E", and I run Counter-clockwise on days with no "E".  Or was that the other way around.......?????........hmmm........