Need help on figuring out a reversing section inside a pair of reversing loops...

[Night Train]

I posted this in the N scale section since that's what I'm working on...figured I might get more responses in this section so I posted this here as well...

OK...I got the reverse loops all figured out and running very smoothly on my DCC wired system. Now, I'm trying to make sense of a reversing section within the section between those loops.

My layout is a bit more complicated than my illustration below, but for all practical purposes it all boils down to this:

Right now, everything runs very smoothly. I just cannot use connector tracks illustrated by the green arrows without it shorting out. They are, I guess, reversing sections within opposite reversing loops.

What do I need so that I can use those sections? Anybody have experience dealing with something like this? Any ideas or suggestion welcomed.

 

[John P]

You have correctly wired the reversing loops at the ends of the railroad, but you don't seem to have recognized that you have a third reverse loop in the middle of the railroad. You'll have to add another reversing section, at the top right as shown in your diagram. If you do this, you can take out the plastic rail joiners where your green arrows are, and just wire that area as if it were double track.

 

[Night Train]

Here's a better illustration which may help clarify my problem:

As I said before, everything runs perfectly as long as I don't try to run through the short connector tracks where the gaps are. The layout would be just fine without those connections, but it'd be a lot more interesting with more route options if I can figure this out.

That's a double slip-switch...not a simple crossover...there in the middle.

Thanks again for any help/suggestions on how to wire this section of track.

 

[UPBigBoy]

I posted this in the N scale section since that's what I'm working on...figured I might get more responses in this section so I posted this here as well...

OK...I got the reverse loops all figured out and running very smoothly on my DCC wired system. Now, I'm trying to make sense of a reversing section within the section between those loops.

My layout is a bit more complicated than my illustration below, but for all practical purposes it all boils down to this:

Right now, everything runs very smoothly. I just cannot use connector tracks illustrated by the green arrows without it shorting out. They are, I guess, reversing sections within opposite reversing loops.

What do I need so that I can use those sections? Anybody have experience dealing with something like this? Any ideas or suggestion welcomed.

One more module at either of the gaps by the green arrow should be all that is needed. It should be able to reverse the power at either of the two crossovers.

Jim

 

[Night Train]

For the sake of clarity, I've illustrated below the entire layout (not to scale) which shows the relative locations of the 2 end reversing sections and the problem reversing portion in the middle.

This is based on the Philadelphia Reading layout I built from the old 101 Track Plans book. I like long runs and would really like to use those connecting sections in order to add a lot more interest to the routing of my trains.

 

[John P]

In the redrawn diagram, the problem is the loop at the left. Give this a reversing section, and you'll be fine. You won't need the insulating joints that are marked in yellow.

 

[railfan]

I was thinking the polarity switching gadgets are probably expensive....so I looked and found this one made by peco for $11.99 that has several functions:

"Designed to connect to the Peco Switch Motors. This item is used for Switching Polarity of Switch Frogs. Wiring of Reverse Loops, Signal Interlocking, Control Panel Lighting".

I don't know if this item can be used by itself just as a polarity switch. I guess the switching must be somehow automatic depending on which direction the engine is going. Is this how a polarity reverser usually works?

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Peco-HO-N-PL15-Twin-Microswitch-p/pec-pl15.htm


Mike

 

[Night Train]

Problem solved!!

Thanks to your ideas and suggestions, my railroad is now running properly using those 'connector' tracks along with the rest of the tracks. I now can run some very interesting routes along that portion of my layout.

The solution was to install a reversing module on the left-hand side of the illustration (post #5) where that turn is located. That, along with the existing gaps, formed the 3rd reverse loop of my layout. It all works now.

Thanks so much for your replies and suggestions! Is this a great forum or what?