Home and Back -- How to Do It?

Garden Railroading
1

So for my G scale train (LGB and Aristocraft track), I have decided I want to do home and back again, i.e., a long single line with turn-around loops at each end. I don’t have MTH yet, that thing where you can run multiple trains on one track. Is there a way to build the loops that actually works? – I know there are some products out there, but wonder if anyone has real-world experience.

2

I’m only into garden rail for about a year now but I have the same type layout due to a small area/yard and I ran track power for about a month and said this is nuts, and switched to battery. On a Home and Back with about 250 feet of total track, I am running three trains at once with an Aristo revo and have never looked back and don’t plan to. Thinking about a little switcher for the 4th one too.

Jim

3

There’s lots of ways to do it. You can do it with some LGB switches and contacts. There’s a number of discussions on MyLargeScale that outline this.

You could also get an auto-reverser that operates on DC (and DCC) that will correct the track polarity when coming out of a reversing loop.

Contact Massoth about the autoreverser, look for posts about reverse loops on MLS.

Regards, Greg

4

Thank you, Greg. LGB has a reverse loop module 55081 I’m going to research…

5

Thanks, Jim. I’m not quite ready to take the batttery plunge yet, but I can see your point!

6

BTW I think you meant DCC (Digital Command Control) not MTH. MTH is a company (Mike’s Train House) who makes their own version called DCS.

[;)]

7

G’day,

There is a great video of an out and back layout you would probably be interested in. it is at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAcfGnp_vc8&feature=player_embedded

(This is also posted on this website under User Videos, but I can’t figure how to insert the link)

Try and contact the guy who posted it, maybe he can offer some advice.

I have a layout which runs on DC only and I have a reverse loop built in. I have to change the power on the track which the train is about to enter to prevent stalling/shorting. I can draw you a wiring diagram if you need it.

8

I believe the original poster is interested in the electrical way to make a reversing loop work.

The video is of Matt Doti’s layout I believe in Colorado, and is battery powered, so no electrical work on the track, and no reversing loops.

I’d advise a single unit reverser, rather than a built up set of switches and contacts, just for simplicity and weather resistance.

Regards, Greg

9

Yes, thanks for the correction. I did mean DCC although I have seen mention of MTS as well.

10

Thanks to Mick and Greg. I loved the video. I think I will go with 2 x LGB reversing loops, one at each end of the road…no wiring involved. I’ll just flip the transformer switch in the middle of the loop.

Thanks to all who responded.