Reversing

[Moroark]

Attached is the track plan for the layout I'm in the middle of building. It's DCC using NCE PowerCab.
After I got started I noticed this for a lack of a better term (for me) is a reversing track plan, not a standard loop.

I'm having trouble:
1. figuring out where I should put insulating joiners
2. where to wire in the reverser, and if I need more than one reverser.
3. I'm using Atlas code 55 track and switches with Cobalt IP Digital switch machines with the switch machine powering the frog.
Am I supposed to disconnect the frog juicer for certain switches within the reversing section?
4. Can the same reverser serve both the main track and turntable?

Thanks, my 70 year old brain is having a bit of a time figuring this one out.
(and in case anyone recognizes the plan it came from one of MRR Mag small track plans, the Pepper Valley Division.)

 

[Iron Horseman]

I'm having trouble:
1. figuring out where I should put insulating joiners
2. where to wire in the reverser, and if I need more than one reverser.

Kind of the same question.
Yes, at least two reversers for the loops.

Many ways to do this.
My first thought was to insulate the bright red section on the left, and the dark green section on left and make those your reversing sections. But they have the opposite problem of most reversing sections, they are too large. One could easily have two trains simultaneously entering/exiting. That is not good.

So I would recommend to make the first reversing section by extend the lime green section on the top further to the right to include the turnout in aqua. Also extend it to the left clear down to include the turnout on the far left side. Make that one reversing section. In proper operations there should be no time two trains will be entering / exiting that section of track at the same time. The red section is a bit harder, but I think I would recommend going from the right turnout a the top, around to the right and down into the darker red color track ending at the blue turnout. That looks like exactly 1 train length, but if you are going to have a train longer than that it will need to be extended.

3. I'm using Atlas code 55 track and switches with Cobalt IP Digital switch machines with the switch machine powering the frog.
Am I supposed to disconnect the frog juicer for certain switches within the reversing section?

The frog juicer should draw power from whatever is powering the points side of the turnout, regardless if it is in a reversing section or not.

4. Can the same reverser serve both the main track and turntable?

No. With this question I presume you don't have a turnout that automatically swaps polarity for you, and that you don't want to put in a manual DPDT switch for it. In that case it needs its own, so three in total.

 

[Moroark]

Kind of the same question.
Yes, at least two reversers for the loops.

Many ways to do this.
My first thought was to insulate the bright red section on the left, and the dark green section on left and make those your reversing sections. But they have the opposite problem of most reversing sections, they are too large. One could easily have two trains simultaneously entering/exiting. That is not good. So I would recommend to make the first reversing section by extend the lime green section on the top further to the right to include the turnout in aqua. Also extend it to the left clear down to include the turnout on the far left side. Make that one reversing section. In proper operations there should be no time two trains will be entering / exiting that section of track at the same time. The red section is a bit harder, but I think I would recommend going from the right turnout a the top, around to the right and down into the darker red color track ending at the blue turnout. That looks like exactly 1 train length, but if you are going to have a train longer than that it will need to be extended.


The frog juicer should draw power from whatever is powering the points side of the turnout, regardless if it is in a reversing section or not.


No. With this question I presume you don't have a turnout that automatically swaps polarity for you, and that you don't want to put in a manual DPDT switch for it. In that case it needs its own, so three in total.

Thanks for the insight. I'll plan accordingly!

 

[Iron Horseman]

Thanks for the insight. I'll plan accordingly!

Had another thought. Rather than my suggestion to extend the lime green section for the first reversing. The one circled in yellow, below, might be a better choice because it is closer in length to the other one I proposed on the red loop.

As I said originally, Sooo many ways to do this. The main thing is the reversing section HAS to be large enough to fit the longest train in it. Secondly not be to large that operators will want to run a 2nd train into the reversing section when it is already occupied.

 

[Moroark]

Had another thought. Rather than my suggestion to extend the lime green section for the first reversing. The one circled in yellow, below, might be a better choice because it is closer in length to the other one I proposed on the red loop.

As I said originally, Sooo many ways to do this. The main thing is the reversing section HAS to be large enough to fit the longest train in it. Secondly not be to large that operators will want to run a 2nd train into the reversing section when it is already occupied.
View attachment 198990

Apologies for the delay in feedback, vacation time.
I've attached a track plan with all the colors removed.
I've now colored in what I think you said can be the reversing portions.
For the red section at top do I need to include the "lower siding" and the "main line"?
Or can i limit it to just the main line? I had hoped to use the lower siding as holding off the main line.
If the reverse loop needs to include the lower siding then I assume I need to put insulated track joiners at the red dot that leads to the industrial section.
And regarding the insulated rail joiners from what I read they need to go on each turn out and not on the start of the turnout?

Thanks!

 

[Iron Horseman]

I've now colored in what I think you said can be the reversing portions.
For the red section at top do I need to include the "lower siding" and the "main line"?

That's pretty good considering my fumbling description. I would include neither. Terminate the reversing portion at the first turnout on the right.

And regarding the insulated rail joiners from what I read they need to go on each turn out and not on the start of the turnout?

They go on the split end of the turnout. Technically called the frog end of the turnout.

 

[Moroark]

So this adjustment to the red portion.

Thanks

 

[Don Z1029]

Something to consider: Your turntable will need to be a DCC Friendly unit with a built-in reversing loop feature.

 

[Moroark]

I have the Cornerstone 103' turntable. Directions says it is DCC compatible. I also purchased a NCE AR10 reverser for the turntable.
My big problem with that is the turntable has code 80 rail and I use code 55. But that doesn't seem insurmountable.

Thanks!

 

[Iron Horseman]

So this adjustment to the red portion.

Yes, I think that is the ticket.

 

[Moroark]

Ok! That's what I'm going with!