Wiring Question

[Anonymous]

How would I wire an oval w/ a diaginal track crossing the oval from side to side (reverse cutoff) for operation? Thanks in advance for any input.

[aggiewonder]

I am sure the experts will first want to know the type of turnouts you are using...and possibly if you're using DC or DCC...

[Anonymous]

Insulate both rails at the frog end of the diverging route of both turnouts. Use an Atlas Contoller or similar electrical switch to change the polarity of the diagonal track to that of the turnout. This will work in both DC and DCC. I use this setup and it works fine. I have a small printed notice next to the controller to remind me of how the slide switches need to be set, depending on which turnout the train enters from.

You can also buy an automatic device to change the polarity of reverse loops, etc. but it only works with DCC.

John Timm

[dwRavenstar]

Heya,

I'll quickly admit I don't know diddly about DCC but I can answer your inquiry from a DC perspective.

The crossing (reversing loop) track must be completely isolated from the mainline oval. Plastic rail joiners on both tracks at each end, no electrical connection to the oval.

While the mainline direction of travel can be controlled by the direction switch on the power pack the direction on your reversing track will be controlled by a separate DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) switch. You can find wiring books and information here on the forum that explains the hook up schematics. When your locomotive has completely entered the crossing track you'll simultaneously swap the direction on both the power pack and the DPDT switch, allowing your drag to re-enter the mainline, travelling in the opposite direction from its previous run.

The theory behind the second switch is that it uses the polarity of the mainline as its source and reverses that polarity with no change of the power pack setting. You can run forward or backward on the crossing section and never touch the power pack direction setting. You need to change the polarity of both switches because changing the power pack setting reverses the source polarity and you need to change the crossing direction so the train keeps running forward and back onto the oval.

Ok, I'm confused, are you? [%-)]

Good luck and remember it's all fun!

dwRavenstar