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OK .. Now you want to run the locomotive on the lift out section too .. So that would require a disconnect plug on each end.
Just make sure that the plugs are wired so as to NOT reverse polarity. I am not a DCC person, but I would think that if you drove a loco onto the section that you would have to reverse direction on the loco to drive it out?
One more thing .. If you use door hinges on the racks with a pin .. You can make it so tight that a rail joiner will not be needed. If this is to your liking .. I can explain better.
Removable bumper : That was the word I was looking for when I said "wall". Yes can have them at each end.
Reversing direction : As this is an open ended piece of track, so long as when either end is connected to the layout, the colors correspond to the layout colors, the disconnected plug at the other end won't matter. Basicly what you'll have is a red wire at one end and a black wire attached to the same rail. So long as you're not running the old "blue box"or DC type of locos that didn't have a circuit board in them at all and the method of changing the loco's direction was to switch the track polarity from side to side, there'll be no problem. All the modern stuff (DCC ready or DCC equipped) have circuitry that senses the direction of travel from the controller's direction switch, not the track polarity. If you drive an engine in forwards onto the removable section, it will drive out when you turn the section around. You can check this out by lifting a loco off your layout track, turning it around and see which way it runs with the direction switch unchanged.
Sherril. Explain away about your hinges as connections. I think I know what you're getting at.
It's a pretty simple installation - lots of guys use it on a lift out or swing up / down section for a walk in layout in order to bridge the doorway entrance to the room.
Take a regular 3 or 4 inch door hinge (4 is better, it has more screws) and fasten one-half the hinge to the layout and the other half to the removable section. To remove the section, simply pull the pin from the hinge.
For a reversible section .. Another hinge piece would be needed on the opposite end to mate with the stationary hinge piece attached to the layout. Track would be fastened to mate with the lead track, but left loose on the opposite end until the section is reversed and the loose track is lined up when the pin is in place. Then it could be fastened down as well.
Hope this is somewhat clear. I lost my computer a few weeks ago, and with a Win 8 new one, I don't have access to being able to draw, scan, photo, or do anything at the moment. Oh how I hate Win 8!!! Most programs I have won't work!!
iPad is getting me by at the moment, but I really don't like it either.
