automated reverse loop?

MRLdave Jul 27, 2022

  1. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    I'm pretty sure this is possible, but I can't figure out what I need.............My staging yard sits underneath my peninsula (4 X 22) and is basically a big reverse loop with 6 tracks 40' long. That number doesn't matter because it's just a single track where the reversing section will be. What I'm hoping to do is set it up so that when a train goes thru the reversing section, it will automatically throw the turnout. What I CAN'T figure out is having the turnout return to the original route after the train clears. I could throw it with a switch/button when dealing with a train leaving/entering the staging yard, but to provide extra mainline length, some trains may get routed down to the yard but not stop, and I'd like them to pass thru without me having to watch them. I found a board that lists as an auto-reverser and it has the ability to throw the turnout (2 versions, one for snap , and one for slow-mo), but I can't find anything that tells me if the turnout ever returns, or if the next train will go the opposite route. Not really a big deal for the thru trains, but I'd like to keep the staged trains all going the same direction. It wouldn't be the end of the world to do the staged trains manually and the thru trains automatically, but unless there's a big cost difference, why? Anyone done something similar?
     
  2. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Answered my own question so deleted it :(,

    Sumner
     
  3. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    That's relatively simple--with 1950s three rail Lionel technology.
     
  4. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have been doing this for a few years now on both of my staging yards. I am using Azatrax IR sensors to cause the turnout that makes the loop to align for entry or exit. Below is a link to a blog post that explains how I did this. The blog post shows the system using IR sensors for entry and block gaps for exit but I have since replaced the block gaps with IR sensors as I had the capacity on the Azatrax circuit and needed the track current sensors for something else. I am using a DCC system with DCC Specialties PSX-AR's for my reverse loops.

    https://palisadecanyonrr.blogspot.com/2020/04/automation-of-yards-reverse-loops.html
     
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  5. Todd Hackett

    Todd Hackett TrainBoard Member

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    Since all of the trains enter the same way, why not just set up a spring switch? On entry, the switch allows the train to traverse then you can choose what ladder it is to go to. On exit, wheels move the spring switch to traverse. In fact, all of the ladder exit switches could be spring ... Unless you need to back into them for one reason or another.
     
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  6. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    Extra info.........this is n scale. The main layout is code 55, but the minute the track down to the staging yard disappears , it will change to code 80. That decision came because code 80 seems to be a little less prone to derailments, I can currently buy code 80 locally AND it's cheaper, plus I have a lot of it left over from the last layout. That said, all the switches will be Atlas snap switches. So the ladder turnouts will be wired in pairs for each track. I hadn't really thought about a spring switch.......I've tried them in the past and had trouble getting the tension right. If I got the tension light enough that it didn't kick cars off trying to pass thru, it sometimes didn't hold tight enough and locos would pick the points.
    Thanks Nscalestation, I'll check out the link.
     
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