Auto-reverser and DC?

[ATLANTIC_CENTRAL]

@CSX_Robert

I will add that what is “best practice” varies greatly from layout to layout depending on layout design and operator preference.

Completely agreed!

[gregc]

@ATLANTIC_CENTRAL

@gregc

if this is the desired use of the mainline reversing switch, won’t the it continue to indicate the direction of the loco after it passes thru a reversing section and the mainline reversing switch is toggled?

YES, exactly. That is why you often ignore the direction switch on a fixed power pack, so the orientation of the mainline direction switch remains consistent with direction of travel but not with the “forward” end of the loco.

then why did you say you toggle the throttle reversing switch?

@ATLANTIC_CENTRAL

While you were stopped you changed the throttle direction from west to east - the track wiring did the rest thru the turnout position.

[ATLANTIC_CENTRAL]

@gregc

then why did you say you toggle the throttle reversing switch?

That relates to my system, where the reversing buttons on the throttle are the only reversing switch on the whole system. I cannot tap the track power ahead of the reversing relay in the throttle to use a conventional reverse loop reversing switch.

So I do it differently. That is why all my reversing moves require stopping the train, allowing the track wiring to reconfigure polarity flow based on turnout/route position, and then reversing the direction of travel on the throttle.

In many ways what I do is more “logical” but requires stopping the train, it cannot be done on the fly like the typical separate reversing switches for main and loop.

Sheldon

[gregc]

@CSX_Robert

When you start adding reversing blocks, you have to add at a minimum one additional reversing switch. If you have more than one reversing block they could all be controlled with one reversing switch, but that would probably be extremely rare.

i’ve been trying to digest you detailed comment. i appreciate it

i went back to my HO Railroad that Grows (1958) where Westcott descibes a control panel with multiple reversing sections. This is probably the 1st book i bought and the control wiring one of the 1st things i learned.

each cab (only 2) has 2 reversing switches: mainline and reversing section(s)

he describes a more modular approach to wiring where a DPDT-center-off switch are wired to a 6 pin terminal strip, the 2 common switch terminals wired to the two end terminals on the strip (top). these screws are connected to either a cab or block.

the 4 other terminals on the cab terminal strips are wired as a reversing switch and 2 of those terminals wired horizontally across several terminal strips creating a bus providing cab connections to multiple blocks

the switches wired to the cab terminals either reverse polarity or disconnect the throttle (center-off). the switches wired to the blocks connect the block to either cab or neither (off)

the 2nd set of terminal strips on right are similarly wired and connect to reversing section blocks. multiple reversing sections could be connected to the same cab. Only one reversing switch is needed for all reversing sections

i think this is basically the same as the Atlas controller except the Atlas system uses common rail

[ATLANTIC_CENTRAL]

That is one way to do it, just one of many. I don’t have a copy of that book anymore for reference. That is a small layout. Small layouts present unique challenges to reversing sections not always found on larger layouts where track arrangements are less likely to “overlap” each other.

While the same principles always apply, exact solutions can vary with the track plan and operator goals.

Also, methods for wiring and connecting multiple throttles can take on several different forms as well, effecting how they interface with reverse sections of any form - straight, loop or wye.

Sheldon