starman Rich Where would you put the AR1? Thanks! Jack
Rich
Where would you put the AR1? Thanks!
Jack
As for the physical location of the AR1, if that is what you are asking, it can be anywhere. When I had AR1s on my layout, I placed them near the reversing sections that they controlled and concealed them inside structures.
Alton Junction
richhotrain
Good idea, Jack. Complete both loop tracks and circle the roundhouse/turntable area. You can always add the yard later.
richhotrain Yes, you can do that with Plan B. The only real restriction is that only one train at a time can enter or exit the reversing section (marked in red). Set up some sort of signal or signal bridge at the entry/exit points of the reversing section as a reminder to you and any other operators on your layout. It need not even be an operating signal. That upper passing siding gives you an opportunity to bypass the reversing section and related crossovers altogether. Lots of possibilities here. Rich
Yes, you can do that with Plan B. The only real restriction is that only one train at a time can enter or exit the reversing section (marked in red). Set up some sort of signal or signal bridge at the entry/exit points of the reversing section as a reminder to you and any other operators on your layout. It need not even be an operating signal. That upper passing siding gives you an opportunity to bypass the reversing section and related crossovers altogether. Lots of possibilities here.
I laid Plan B today. I think this is exactly what I want. I will finish the loop and see how everything works. I'm going to complete both loop tracks before tackling the yard. I know the yard is going to be a bear to lay!
starman richhotrain The diagram below would allow two trains to run straight through routes on parallel tracks by isolating only the lower mainline track and passing track. Rich I thought I had only one question left, but apparently I was wrong!! I like plan B because of what it will allow me to do on track 2 (the loop track as shown on my track plan). However, if I move a train from the upper track 2 (as shown on my track plan) across da onto track 1 (a separate loop track on my track plan) I can then operate a train in either direction on track 1. Will plan B allow me to do this?
richhotrain The diagram below would allow two trains to run straight through routes on parallel tracks by isolating only the lower mainline track and passing track. Rich
The diagram below would allow two trains to run straight through routes on parallel tracks by isolating only the lower mainline track and passing track.
I thought I had only one question left, but apparently I was wrong!!
Here is one vote for plan B, both would work but the second plan allows more flexability as far as mulit train operation. Nice plan Rich
doug
starman I now understand how the lower diagram works. Is the other plan you described the upper of the two diagrams?
I now understand how the lower diagram works. Is the other plan you described the upper of the two diagrams?
richhotrain starman richhotrain Rich One final question before I am totally satisfied that I know what I am doing. (Hummm, I'm not really sure that will ever be the case ), but in your lower diagram from several post back, the reversing loops actually goes from where to where? Jack I colored the reversing section red. That single reversing section will require that only one train at a time enter or exit. I did describe another plan which would only isolate the lower track so that a second train can pass on the upper track. Rich
starman richhotrain Rich One final question before I am totally satisfied that I know what I am doing. (Hummm, I'm not really sure that will ever be the case ), but in your lower diagram from several post back, the reversing loops actually goes from where to where? Jack
One final question before I am totally satisfied that I know what I am doing. (Hummm, I'm not really sure that will ever be the case ), but in your lower diagram from several post back, the reversing loops actually goes from where to where?
I colored the reversing section red. That single reversing section will require that only one train at a time enter or exit. I did describe another plan which would only isolate the lower track so that a second train can pass on the upper track.
starman So you are saying that I can remove all insulators except the two you mention and everything will work fine? Also, you are saying that if I use a Walthers turntable, I would only need the two insulators on the left of my yard plan and the two insulators could be removed? I haven't mentioned before, because I just thought of it, but I am wiring each section of track and turnouts so I don't have problems with track connectors. I'm assuming this is not a problem with the reversing loops. Jack
So you are saying that I can remove all insulators except the two you mention and everything will work fine?
Also, you are saying that if I use a Walthers turntable, I would only need the two insulators on the left of my yard plan and the two insulators could be removed?
I haven't mentioned before, because I just thought of it, but I am wiring each section of track and turnouts so I don't have problems with track connectors. I'm assuming this is not a problem with the reversing loops.
If you use a Walthers turntable, those are the only two insulators needed in that entire portion of the layout. The Walthers turntable has a split ring that effectively flips the polarity of the turntable as it is rotated, so the approach track does not need to be gapped as long as you match the polarity of the approach track to the turntable bridge track.
If you plan to wire each section of track, and that is a good practice, you can do that and still add insulators where needed. But, of course, you need to plan the placement of the insulators and the feeder wires. I use plastic rail connectors as insulators and in tight spots I simply solder the feeders to the outside of the rails where needed.
richhotrain Since only locomotives will likely be traversing those tracks, it would be sufficient to only have two sets of gaps, one set on the divergent track of each turnout forming the crossover. If you install a Walthers turntable, you would not need an auto-reverser and the approach track would not have to be gapped. Just some final thoughts. Rich
Since only locomotives will likely be traversing those tracks, it would be sufficient to only have two sets of gaps, one set on the divergent track of each turnout forming the crossover.
If you install a Walthers turntable, you would not need an auto-reverser and the approach track would not have to be gapped.
Just some final thoughts.
floridaflyer Compared to some we see, your final diagram of the yard area is fine. Agree with starman, that kink at the 9 o'clock position on the track circling the roundhouse should be straightened out
Compared to some we see, your final diagram of the yard area is fine. Agree with starman, that kink at the 9 o'clock position on the track circling the roundhouse should be straightened out
I agree the kink looks bad, but I got tied trying to straighten it out on the computer and just left it. It will be a nice smooth curve on my actually layout.
Without that one crossover, there would be no reversing section in that portion of the layout.
floridaflyer Nailed it this time Gary doug
Nailed it this time Gary
With your help I finally won the cigar!! Thanks again for your patients.
I would suggest on your next track plan edit that you might want to put in the actual size of the turntable you want. The current one you have drawn (if grid is 12") is about a 90' turntable (which in HO incidentally takes up 15"-16" of layout space before you even install a stall track).
You may find it beneficial to fix the kink in the loop near the turntable now, as waiting until later may result in the necessity to change your track plan again.
[/quote]
Thanks for your comment. I'm not very good at drawing my layout on a computer. As I am actually installing this layout, I am installing smooth curves and I have a cardboard circle cut out to the size hole I need for the turntable I am planning on using. The different yards, i.e., the maintenance, classification, gravity, and empties have tracks that are straight or curved slightly. It looks a lot better on my actual layout than what I have drawn.
starman floridaflyer Close but no cigar. doug How did I do this time? After I get this right, I will then take the time to see what is happening to try t understand what is going on. Thanks for your patience! Your's too, Rich. Jack
floridaflyer Close but no cigar. doug
Close but no cigar.
How did I do this time? After I get this right, I will then take the time to see what is happening to try t understand what is going on. Thanks for your patience! Your's too, Rich.
starman richhotrain Jack, what brand of turntable is it? Rich I haven't purchased it yet, but I am planning on purchasing a Walthers that is big enough for an articulated steam engine and tender. Do you have a suggestion? I'm open to what will work best for me. Jack
richhotrain Jack, what brand of turntable is it? Rich
Jack, what brand of turntable is it?
I haven't purchased it yet, but I am planning on purchasing a Walthers that is big enough for an articulated steam engine and tender. Do you have a suggestion? I'm open to what will work best for me.
floridaflyer Agree Rich, I added the additional trackage up to the top circle to give the reversing section added length. I gapped the lead to the TT not knowing what the final wiring would look like on that lead, and didn't want the polarity(phase) changing on the lead.
Agree Rich, I added the additional trackage up to the top circle to give the reversing section added length. I gapped the lead to the TT not knowing what the final wiring would look like on that lead, and didn't want the polarity(phase) changing on the lead.
In that latest drawing, the only reversing section is that crossover between AR1 and the M in Maintenance. Just gap the divergent side of the two turnouts forming the crossover.
Depending upon the brand of the turntable, there may be no need for an auto-reverser on the approach track to the turntable.
Close but no cigar. On the right side of the drawing, the top two circles are fine. At the turnout by "M" put the circle on the main track, not the divergent. At the AR1 turnout move the circle from the main to the divergent. You do not need the circle on the left side up by the TT. Your reversing section will be from the divergent track at AR1 to the top circle on the right of the diagram. Going this isolates the reversing section of track from the rest of the layout. (Any power going to the re versing section has to go thru the reversing module.)