I just got my reverse loop working. and was wondering what proper steps to take. This is how i think it schould be done. Step 1 train enters reverse loop. Step 2 you stop train when all is inside the loop. Step 3 you change the direction handle on the dc controler. Step 4 flip the switch on the reverse loop. Step 5 Then add power. Would like to know if this is right, Or did i do something wrong.
Sounds good to me. Some folks flip the direction switch and the loop switch at the same time without stopping the train but that can be hard on the engine if it does not happen precisely at the same time.
You didn't say if you were running DC or DCC. However, there is another way to wire and control a reversing loop if you're running DC. This concept can not be used with DCC. The concept I'll describe uses DC Block Control with DPDT reversing switches to control locomtoive direction independently within each block. In this concept the reversing switch on the power pack is not used for direction control, only the block reversing switches. Below is a description for a simple application, but the concept holds for more complex track plans. Track Plan - 1 - assume a single track leading into a Wye turnout. 2 - exiting the Wye turnout is a single loop of track that is connected from one Wye leg to the other Wye leg. 3 - there are track gaps on both rails of both exit legs of the Wye turnout. 4 - there are two blocks for this plan, one controlling the entry to the Wye, and one controlling the loop between the Wye exit legs. 5 - each DPDT reversing switch is wired to and supplying power to the specific track block that it is controlling. Operation - 1 - both the Wye entry and reversing loop block direction switches are set so that the locomotive is able to travel towards the Wye turnout, then into the reversing loop. 2 - the Wye entry block direction switch is changed to the opposite direction while the locomotive is within the reversing loop block. 3 - the Wye points are thrown to allow the locomotive to leave the reversing loop through the opposite exit leg then back out through the entry of the Wye. 4 - at no time is it necessary to stop while it is within the reversing loop. The beauty of this concept is that a locomotive will continue around the layout continuously if you (the Dispatcher) have set up the block reversing switches for every block before the locomotive enters the next block. I forgot to show the wiring for the DPDT reversing switch....sorry. [ March 31, 2005, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Hytec ]
It is for dc. Here is a diagram of the layout. The area in question is in the lower right corner it goes from the yard through the tunnel the loop stats at swicth over. Hope this helps.
Wiking, thanks for the track plan. Although I haven't studied it, at first glance it looks like it will be lots of fun to operate. As far as implementing what I described above, there should be no problem. You will have to separate the layout into separate track blocks, isolated from each other by rail gaps. The gaps must be placed so that you never feed power into the frog ends of turnouts, only into the point ends. You can feed multiple turnouts in succession if they all face the same direction such as in a yard ladder track configuration. Furthermore, you must have separate DPDT reversing switches feeding each block. Other than that wiring the layout should be straight forward. I assume that you will be making a Control Panel with a track plan schematic. If so, then install each DPDT reversing switch in the middle of the schematic line approximately where each power feed is connected to the rails. Also, install each switch so that the switch toggle will flip along the track path, and in the direction of locomotive travel. This way you will know at a glance if the block is set up correctly in the direction of locomotive travel.
Hank, Thanks for the reversing loop tips. This will be a big help if I build a reversing loop for power plant I'm thinking about. I am using DC block control and have the switches plotted according to their block location on a small panel and oriented so I can easily tell if a block is set for cab A, (up) cab B (down) or off (center). ~Tim
Tim, that's how I have my layout wired also. Unfortunately the two-cab arrangement doesn't work for reversing loops where you want to go around the loop without stopping. For that you have to be able to reverse the power feed at the entrance to the loop. Wait a minute, a light bulb just went off...I'm all wet. We could have two switches for each block - one for cab selection and then another for reversing that was between the cab selector and the track feed. That would work, especially if the cab selector was a rotary switch so it wouldn't be confused with the toggle switch for reversing.
Here is a chematic of how I wired my reversing section It is working just like I hoped although there are a couple of disadvantages of this circuit. Firstly let me explain how it operates. The rectifier keeps the positive rail positive regardless of which direction you have your controller. When a train is on the reversing section all you need to do is change directions on your controller, this will reverse all your blocks except for your reversing track enabling the train to continue in the correct direction. Ok the two disadvantages are: 1. You cannot change directions of the train while on the reversing track (Unless you wire a bypass switch) 2. There is a voltage drop of 1.4 volts when a train is on this section. You can notice a reduction in speed over this section. As my reversing section is over a downhill grade it actually works as an advantage for my layout
Paul, does your circuit require that you run in the same direction through the loop all the time, or have I missed something?
Hank yes it does thats the downside of this circuit howver you could put a flip flop switch on the output to chang directions
Wiking- Just follow the instructions in the layout book diagram, line by line, and you will be ok. When I expand around my N-18, I will refer back to this thread since it will lead me to success in my future freelance endeavors.
Wiking, I just realized you used the word "Digitrax" in the handwritten notes at the top of your layout diagram. Unless I misunderstand what you wrote, Digitrax is one of the brands of Digital Command Control (DCC) systems on the market. I can't help you if you are designing your layout for DCC. I know nothing about the design, implementation, and operation of DCC. What I described is for Direct Current (DC) Block Control, not DCC systems. DC Block Control wiring is incompatible with DCC. Furthermore, I believe that a DCC system could be ruined, fried, or otherwise destroyed if it is installed and operated on a layout that is wired for DC Block Control. If you are using DCC, Please, Please, Please do NOT install the loop reversing scheme that I described above.
Hanks points are all spot on for continuous operation through a reverse loop, but just to clarify for those used to wiring a common rail DC system were you only insulate one rail for block control, the reverse loop section must have BOTH RAILS insulated. Nelson
That choice of dcc set up is in the air right now i was just using it to explain to kato. It has nothing to do with the reverse loop. Right now i am just running dc. Sorry for the confusion schould have blacked that out.
