dual cab and revers switching on dc layout

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently acquired a layout. it has 8 blocks each having a reversing switch . The layout was at one time or another setup for dual cab. I have it running fine with the single A cab and I want to hook up for dual cab. I found info on the web for wiring a dual cab but only for a single trow switch not DTDP switching (reverse switching setup) The way the web site shows to setup is to use one sie of the STSP switch .The web site also shows for adding on a reverse switching loop with DTDP switches but it does really tell how to hook a layout up having all reverse switching for 8 blocks of DTDP switches.
Can anyone give me some kind of direction on wiring this PLEASE
Thanks Lynn

2

lynn

Are you sure the switches are set up as reversing switches? The 2 center poles go to the track, 2 go to cab a, and 2 go to cab b. The poles are in 2 rows of 3. like this ::: .

I hope this helps. On a reverse switch there is an X of wire jumpered from the 2 outter most sets of contacts. I don’t have any pictures maybe someone else does if this isn’t clear.

Wayne

3

A DUAL CAB configuration requries SPDTto select CAB A or CAB B. with ‘common rail’ wiring; or DPDT when not using ‘common rail’. (See Kalmbach publication’s for ’ book on ‘common rail’ wiring.

A DPDT used for REVERSING requires both sides used (per Wayyne) for re-setting the main line’s DIRECTION.

A DPDT used for CAB selection, can used the UNUSED half for lamp indication.

4

yes the layout is totally set up with reverse switching with DPDT switches 2 centres black and red going to each side of there individual blocks and the entire layout works great with a single cab controler ( controling one train ) I just ned to figure out how to hook up the 2nd cab controler with the reverse switching. I have 2 loops on the track and the rest is regular track and switches

5

Hello Lynn,

You’ll find exactly the wiring you need in Chapter Five of my book, “Easy Model Railroad Wiring (Second Edition),” published by Kalmbach. If a local store doesn’t have itt you can order the book at the Shopping section of this Web site.

Good luck with your layout,

Andy

6

Well, without knowing exactly how your layout is wired, this is a bit of a shot in the dark, but here’s how I handled my reverse loops (I used the old Kalmbach “HO Primer” and “HO Railroad that Grows” books as guides, and found them extremely useful). I’d refer to either of those publications for detailed instructions. It’s also probably in some more modern Kalmbach publications.

Each block should be connected to a terminal strip by a pair of wires (one for each rail), and the terminal strips should be connected by a pair of “bus wires,” and then connected directly to the two power sources (the books I recommended detail this very precisely). The trick with reversing loops is that any tracks that turn back on themselves should be connected to a separate set of bus wires, so that the polarity on the unoccupied portion of the layout can be reversed as a train traverses the reverse curve. It’s actually not very difficult - I wired my layout for 23 blocks, 2 of them reversing loops, in about three Saturdays worth of work this year, and it was very easy to do. One suggestion: get at least one throttle with an ammeter and a voltmeter, because it takes some time to get used to the manipulation of reversing loops, and the sudden spike on the ammeter is the easiest way to tell that you’ve just created a short circuit (that and the stall).

Good luck!

7

I haven’t written a book but here is my suggestion:

I am going to make some assumptions based on your description (only you can look to see if these are true):

  1. The two loops you are talking about are reversing loops and you have identified the switches for them. Either from running the layout, or as Wayne indicated looking for the "X"s, or whatever.

  2. All the other switches (block control) have two wires coming from the center pole going to a track segment. One red and one black.

  3. The layout works fine when all the block control switches are flipped in the same direction. When they are flipped in the opposite direction the trains won’t run.

So if those assumptions are correct then:

  1. Trace the wires from the working power supply to the first block control switch. Note the side of the switch that they are connected.

  2. Move the connection form the power supply to the opposite side of that same switch.

  3. Now the trains should run when the block control switches are flipped in the direction where they were not working before, and where they were working should be dead.

  4. Reconnect the original supply back where it was and put your second power supply there.

You could also just try connecting the second power supply to the opposite side of the switch where the current supply is connected and try it, but then if any of the assumptions are wrong there are two power supplies in play and who knows what damage tha

8

thanks for the suggestions . I did get it working but found it to be a real pain with all the reverse switching and I removed all my centre rails and I’m working on redesigning it

9

“CENTER RAILS”? Is this Lionel? .

  1. DPDT toggles can be used for each block - without problem. I have two cabs and use this configuration. So can you

  2. ‘COMMON RAIL WIRING’ is a 'Triangular 'method of wiring two cabs, with SPDT toggles for all block’s but DPDT’s for reversing loops. It also saves wire.

“REDESIGNING”? Why? REWIRING? Maybe? AS IS? What could be simpler?.
2 wires from 2 pak’s go to outer contact’s. Center contact’s go to track.

If this sound’s Greek to you, better buy Andy’s book.