Jack, do see if you can't find a way to post your layout here. Try using imgur to host the image(s). I feel you may get much better response.
Cid (Memphis, Tennessee)
Is this the same layout you posted about in March? Did you get it into a layout drawing program?
Edit, just looked at the old thread. If it's the same plan, you could have just continued that thread and this diagram.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I don't see any reversing loops on the track plan posted other than the one that says "polarity problems". You can connect the red and green lines all you want and it won't cause a problem.
On the other hand if you connect red to red or green to green, then you have a reversing loop. For example the "polarity problem" location connects red to red.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
If you don't want ot buy a CAD program, try just drawing it NEATLY by hand, on large paper (not a piece of regular letter size) and take a photo. For purposes of figuring reverse loops, the turnouts and curves don't have to be drawn accurately like they would to actual make a plan to fit a space, it's more important that the locations of the tracks be clear and accurately placed. Use good solid colors if there are multiple mainline loops. That will make it possible to trace around the various lines and see if you end up coming back on yourself going the opposite direction, indicating a reverse loop.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You state that your track is laid.
If this the case, figuring them will be easy.
Take a boxcar, put red tape on one side and green on the other.
Push it through the area you think forms a reverse loop. If it comes back on the same track, with the other colour towards you, it went through a reverse loop.
Then figure that out, and go on to the next.
Cid
I have uploaded an image of my layout to Imgur. How do I add it to my reply?
Jack
Open your image in imgur. There is an Image Link button to copy the url (link adress). Then use Insert/Link to add it to your post.
https://imgur.com/QaWRCDV
starmanI have uploaded an image of my layout to Imgur. How do I add it to my reply?
If you don't see a list of links on the right side of your picture, hover your mouse over the upper right corner. You will see Get Share Links. Click on that.
The easiest link to use in BBCodes (Forums) Copy that. Paste it directly in your message. Do not use any picture or link icons.
This link
https://dccwiki.com/Reverse_Sections
also provides information similar to the red-on-one-side boxcar to show reverse loops, if any. In DCC, there is a gadget you can purchase to wire to the reverse-loop portion of your layout to to take care of the "phase mismatch" in either entering or leaving the reverse loop. The article explains that a PM42 is indeed the required gadget, and the article shows how to wire it.
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
Thanks! I'll give it a try.
This is a drawing of my layout, https://imgur.com/YeoQOFU , I hope! Basically, my interpretation of the N&W Portlock Yard and the N&W Lamberts Point Yard are represented by the following areas:
The Red Track represents the track my passenger train will use between Norfolk, VA and Western VA.
The Blue Track represents the track my coal train will use between Norfolk, VA and Western, VA.
Tracks B and C, and E and F represent the Portlock Yard.
Tracks J through N represent the Lamberts Point maintenance yard.
Tracks R through JJ represent the Lamberts Point Classification yard.
Tracks MM through OO represent the Lamberts Point Gravity Yard.
Tracks PP through RR represent the Lamberts Point Empties Yard.
The letters are used to talk about certain areas of my layout. The numbers represent switches.
One other person pointed out two reversing loops, but I made a few final changes when actually laying the track.
I do not plan on diving my layout into districts unless it is necessary. I have purchased a PM42 to control my reversing loops.
Any help with reversing loops and the installation of my PM42 will be appreciated.
starmanThis is a drawing of my layout, https://imgur.com/YeoQOFU , I hope!
On imgur, click on the image. A set of links will appear on the right side. Click on the copy BBCode, then paste it on this forum. It won't appear until you post it.
Here it is:
York1 John
Thanks, I see what you are talking about. I'll be sure to use that next time.
One thing to keep in mind: It is not recommended to use the PM42's auto reverse feature with a power district on the same card. Timing between the breaker and the autoreverse may be an issue. So use a seperate device for the auto reverse.
You can configure both types of sections on the same PM42, but you may encounter issues if you power an AR section from a breaker section on the same PM42.
See KB478, KB479, and KB480.
(Personally, I switched from PM42's and AR1's to BXP88's and BXPA1's. Although the PM42/AR1 combination worked fine for me, you get more bang for your buck with the newer solid-state devices.)
I like all these letters and numbers, makes it easier to comment.
The reversing loop I see is 21-32-35-10 vs 21-46-45-16-10
I don't see 3-4 as a reversing loop. I might add another crossover between A & C so both lines could change direction. Once they make the crossing, they can't return unless they back into the other track.
I just see 24-46. As the traffic will be just a loco and tender coming to/ from the TT, 24-46 should be long enough.
floridaflyerI just see 24-46
That wouldn't make any difference, really. If the length is a concern, it's not difficult to just extend it to 21, and insulate the diverging legs of 22, 23, and 24, making the reverse section 21-46.
I see there is only one connection between red and blue, at 3-4. I think for operational reasons, there should be another connection angled the opposite way - otherwise a train can get from blue to red but not back to blue unless it backs through 3-4. Wire the main loops of blue and red correctly and neither of those are a reverse section.
Agree with Randy on a second crossover in the opposite direction between between red and blue
Hello Jack, well, you certainly got it going on now!! I'm in total sync with the 24-46 reversing section. Another crossover would definitely help you out! As a tidbit: a double crossover, say at V, set to crossover, would allow a single loco to traverse the entire inner and outer loops unattended. I see that would not be in your operational plan at this time, but just a point of interest, say for a track-cleaning car, for example.
starmanI agree there needs to be a way to cross over from track C to track A
It doesn't have to be on A to C it can be EE to XX or TT to WW
starmanNow, if I have a departing coal train on track C (traveling to the RIGHT), and I want the arriving passenger engine to cross over from track A to track C, traveling to the LEFT, doesn’t this create some sort of reversing loop?
If you wire the track where in the diagram, the top most A, B and C rail is red and the bottom rail is black. DCC will tell the engine to go forward, no matter which way it points.
starmanAlso, shouldn’t track N be reversing so an engine can enter the turntable/roundhouse going forward and exit the same going forward?
Because turntables spin 360 degrees, they are a reversing situation. I'm not up to speed on how Walthers handles that. My wag is that it is handled in the turntable, but someone will know. Otherwise all the tracks off the turntable are reversing issues.
starmana break in tracks B and C where the letter V is located.
I don't see why.
I believe that is all you need! All the rest of the bus is consistent, including track N, only conflicts at that point.
And yes, per Henry, you will have to deal with the roundhouse tracks. But I think the split ring may handle it, not really sure. Google "wiring turntable for DCC".
If it is the Walthers motorized turntable with the index control box, that handles the turntable reversing for you. There is a place marked on the rin where you are not supposed to put any stall or lead tracks, this is where the gaps are in the split ring.