Reverse Loops

[Riverrat340]

I am in the process of building a large train layout.  My center island which is my yard is about 40 feet long by 6 to 7 feet wide.

So consider a elongated loop (my outside mainline) traveling around in a long oblong circle.  On one of the outer sides I have a track that switches off and travels diagonally to the other side of the loop.  I get the concept that coming from one side the electrical poles are matching positive and negative.  When that track comes across the center and connects on the other side the electrical poles will be inverted  (the positive hits the negative).  So I isolate the tracks at each end with plastic rail joiners and add a reverse loop.  By the way I am using NCE with Code 83 Peco track.

Here is where the problem lies.  I have a friend who is very knowledgeable about trains where I am not.  In my description above to keep this issue simple I explained it as a long looped rectangular track layout with one track traversing the middle from one side to the other and isolated from both ends.  Here is my additional info.  Those single tracks on each end of the traverse spread out to 8 different tracks.  Both ends start with a track and come back to one track at the other end before the isolation joiners. 

My friend has said that I need to reverse loop each track.  However, he can not explain why.  If you have one track going across you need only one reversing loop.  If you add more trackage it is still on the same concept.  Do I need to put a reversing loop on each track going across, or will one do the trick for all.

[richhotrain]

If you could post a track diagram, that would surely help here so others can visualize your layout.

If you are unable to post a track diagram for any reason, you might try to resolve your problem by drawing your track diagram on paper, using a different color for the left rail and the right rail. That way, you can see where opposite colors are being joined together, and that will indicate the point of opposite (reverse) polarity. You will need to place gaps to completely isolate the section of reverse polarity.

Typically, there should be no reason to treat each yard track as a separate reversing section. An entire yard can form a single reversing section.

What type of Code 83 Peco turnouts are you using?  Insulfrogs or Electrofrogs?

Rich

[BigDaddy]

Like Rich, I am having trouble visualizing your trackplan.  An "outside" mainline implies there is an inside mainline.

It sounds like you are describing a double ended yard in the center.  7' wide is very wide if you need to reach a derailed car, by the way. If that is true of the yard, they can all be in the same block or power district.

Directions for posting an image of your track plan are here: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx

Welcome to the forum and Happy Thanksgiving.

[peahrens]

As Rich said, posting a diagram would be best.  There is a sticky thread in the General section of the forum that tells you how to post, using a posting site like Photobucket.  Even a sketch jpg scan with your pc can be posted via photo bucket. 

As this proceeds, you may want to look over the attached info on reversing loops to learn how it can be addressed in various situations.  Show it to your friend and have him explain it from the examples and perhaps that will clarify your situation.  Note that there can be multiple options for how to handle it in certain cases.  Suggest your goals be to solve your issue but also learn the basics using your example.  I enjoy the learning process on this stuff.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track_2.htm#c4

 

[gregc]

Riverrat340

... long looped rectangular track layout with one track traversing the middle from one side to the other and isolated from both ends.  

Those single tracks on each end of the traverse spread out to 8 different tracks.  Both ends start with a track and come back to one track at the other end before the isolation joiners. 

sound like the reverse section may be a double ended diamond yard (middle in bottom image).