This trackplan schematic is showing a double main track (DCC powered), one for each direction. One clockwise, the other mains track counter-clock wise. There are two obvious reversing loops. But is the third loop, connecting the two mainline loops, also a reversing loop? And what if this connecting track attaches the outer mains track to the inner mains track on the left side of the inner track (ie making the train run in the correct direction for this inner track?
It depends. As drawn there is no need for it to be a reversing section, but are there additional details not included? The biggest question being are there any crossovers between the inner and outer loops? If the inner and outer loop are wired oppositely - for example, if on the inner loop the inner rail is rail A and the outer rail is rail B, but on the outer loop the inner rail is rail B and the outer rail is rail A - then the connecting loop would not be a reversing section. However, if you have crossovers between the inner loop and the outer loop you would not be able to wire it this way because you would have a short at the crossover. In this case you would want the inner and outer loops wired the same (both inner rails A and both outer rails B or vice-versa) and you would be able to have crossovers between the inner and outer loops.
Good point, thank you Robert. Indeed there are plenty of crossovers between inner and outer mains track. These crossovers make a train run in the "wrong" direction. Now let me change the connection between inner and outer track as follows. The outer track connects to the inner track in a way that respects the orientation that trains are running. Outer clockwise, inner counterclockwise. So a train running on the outside goes over loop 3 and keeps running in the right direction on the inner mains (counterclockwise). Is 3 a reverting loop?
And added here is the full track plan; "a" version are the tracks on a lower level, "b" version are the tracks on the upper level; no helix. Loop 1 is in the "b" version, loop 2 is in the middle of "a", and loop 3 is on the right of "a".
Sometimes the better question on track plans with reverse loops and loops within loops is to ask why a modeler would desire such a thing? I'm not picking on @Erik84750 (who drives an exceptionally cool car by the way ) or anyone else, but with some plans, there's no need for what's been laid out, the solution adds needless complexity and frustration, or rearranging the tracks provides a simpler fix. Hats off to the modelers like @Erik84750 who know enough to see potential trouble and ask advice ahead of time.
1964 TR4, and I do all maintenance myself: in the South of France you would not trust your mother-in-law to a garage . Very cool to drive around here, even in winter. Thanks for the compliment Hardcoaler!
Because in my opinion this is a chalenge that is solveable? Solving a reversing loop electrically is not really an issue to me; but I need indeed to know ahead of time where there are such loops. And I believe Robert has a point: what are the polarities of inner and outer loops? Given that I have plenty of crossovers I assume (right? ..wrong?) that the polarities of inner and outer mains need to be identical. Resulting therefor in the fact that loop 3 does revert the outer track relative to the inner track, and hence is reverting. Correct?
Such a wonderful shot! My oldest brother had a green TR-4 in excellent condition with removable hard top, bought used in the late '60s and crashed beyond repair soon thereafter. Too much car for a teenager. I'd like to forward your photo on to him -- it'll bring him a smile.
Yes loop 3 is a reversing section (I prefer "section" over "loop" because it's not always a loop, for example a wye has a reversing section although there are no loops).
Good idea Robert, thanks! Now I am using Anyrail software and I just discovered that it too shows where these reversing sections are albeit a bit weird in the case of #1, with the crossing track. But thanks all of you for your inputs, it is greatly appreciated.
"A" clearly has two reversing loops and "B" has one. A and B can easily be wired to have the same general polarity, such that there is no need to worry about any reversals except the 3 distinct loops shown. There really is nothing complicated on these loops
Don't those Triumphs have Lucas wiring and become toasters after about a week. Or is that a different English car? Doug
Pretty much all of them were captive to the Prince of Darkness* but Rolls and Bentley. Fortunately, after half a century, all the survivors have been completely rewired. *If you had ever been tooling along at seventy per on a moonless night and had your headlights fail, you'd have thought Lucas was the devil too
And why not acptulsa? If inner and outer main track have identical poalisation (ie where running parallel, both their left tracks are connected to the same DCC polarity, same for right tracks: to the other DCC polarity) sure track 3 reverses the two main track sections onto themselves?
