We’re using the kato double-track superelevated track for a large portion of our
layout. We will be using the double crossover to let trains move between the
inner and outer loops.
Additionally, part of the track plan includes a line that starts from the OUTER
loop, goes a number of places, then eventually comes back and re-connects with
the INNER loop. This 3rd line does not reverse the direction of the train. An overly-simplified diagram is below.
We will be setting this up to run DCC.
Are there any issues with doing this? Do I need to place insulated joiners
anywhere?
It looks to me like it should work, as long as the track doesn’t double back on itself. To make sure use two colored pencils to go over the route, red for the left rail, blue for the right rail. If red comes cock to blue you have a problem. If both loops are wired for the same polarity, no problem. If the loops are wired for opposite polarity, problem.
You don’t have a reverse loop so you don’t need to insulate the rails. However, are you aware that once you go from one loop to the other there is no way back to the original loop without backing up?
You have no reverse loop so insulated rail joiners will not be necessary IF the wires to both loops are connected properly; i.e., make sure the feeder wires from the DCC system are not crossed between the two loops.
I noticed that, too. If you use a double crossover, you could move from the inner loop to the outer, and back again. And since you still won’t have a reverse loop, it wouldn’t require any additional wiring.
Thanks for all the great advice. I didn’t think I had a problem, but just wanted to make sure.
I should have been more clear… The layout will have a double crossover to move trains between the 2 loops. In Addition, We have the 3rd line that breaks off from the loop, goes somewhere and comes back. No real reason to have had it start on the inner and come back to the outer, other than it was easier to fit it that way (and I’m hoping, may make running the layout a little more interesting).
SO in a nutshell, we’ll actually have 2 ways to cross between the inner and outer loops; my iinital sketch and the one above
All the advice is correct. No reverse loop, and no need to add insulators.
Now, give some thought to why you might want to add insulators:
Since you’ve greatly simplified your track diagrams, I assume there’s more to the layout than just a pair of ovals, a double crossover and what is effectively a long passing siding. As your layout grows, it becomes increasingly desireable to divide it electrically. For a very large layout, you might be adding boosters to augment the power output of your DCC base station. For most of us, though, the best reason to divide a layout up is to provide separate zones, each with its own circuit breaker. This makes it easier to isolate problems, and allows one portion of the layout to keep running when there’s a derailment or short on another.
Each zone requires a separate track bus, that pair of heavy wires that leaves the base station and then gets connected to the track by feeders. The bus wires get connected through the circuit breakers. You don’t need to buy the breakers right away, if the layout is small but still growing, but if you plan ahead for this, you’ll have all the hard work done if you want to isolate the zones later.
Another thing to consider is the DC concept of a “kill switch” for certain sections of track. In DC, you do this to shut off a locomotive you’re not using. DCC allows you to have engines “idling” anywhere, but they are always receiving power and commands. Now, though, many engines have sound, and you may still find that you want to completely power off the engines when you’re not using them. Similarly, if you have a string of lighted passenger cars, you might want a “dead zone” for them when they’re not in service. For those reasons, I would suggest isolating that long connecting siding and adding a kill switch. There will be days when you just want
Another issue you’ll have is the fact that they are 2 ovals with no straight sections. It might be difficult finding a curved turnout(s) to fit that design.
Also the cross over track should be smoother and not kink around like that. It winds up causing derailments on longer trains.
The OP made it clear in his initial that what he was posting a simplified concept diagram, not a to scale and complete track plan. He also made it clear that the extra line connecting the two loops came in addition to a double crossover.
As my old teacher was fond of saying a few decades ago: “make sure you have read and understood the question before you try to offer an answer”.
I was in a hurry, so I indeed did draw perhaps an over simplified drawing.
It’s not actually two ovals, but an extended dogbone using the kato unitrack superelevated double track, so there are plenty of straights and places for standard turnouts and the double-slip\double-crossover. Marlon’s drawing (above) is closer to what we are doing than my drawing.
Likewise the track that splits off of the outer loop and eventually comes back to the inner loop is connected via standard #6 turnouts and meanders to a few places, so it’s a little more than a passing siding.
Apologies for any confusion, and thanks again for all the good advice; it’s very much appreciated.
