Although I’d like to claim that I’m a track planning genius, like John Armstrong, this last track plan was just cobbled together with little forethought, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! I’m sharing it with hopes there may be something useful to somebody…
First, some givens:
Switch “ A” is an electrically operated LGB 1600 series switch, uses to select a route.
Switch “B” is an LGB 1200 series “ spring switch” that will allow a train to regain the common path from either approach.
The “ main” is a loop of LGB R5, 15.5 foot diameter. It can accommodate most anything.
The” branch” is made up of 8 foot diameter curves.
Stub 1 and 2 are where trains start or finish an operating session. Stub 3 is where an engine can be set on the track, or removed.
2 trains are on the track; one track power, one battery power. They operate independently.
Scenario #1:
An engine starts from stub 3 onto the branch line, backs around through switch A and couples onto it’s train in stub 1 or two.
The train proceeds onto the main in a clockwise direction. A second train does the same thing. Switch A is thrown for the branch line. Both trains continue making the circuit. Eventually, one train will catch up to the other. After the slower first train passes switch A, the switch is thrown remotely for the main. The faster train proceeds around the main, which is much shorter, and comes back through spring switch b, now in front of the slower train. This can go on all day….
Scenario 2:
Same as before except, one train runs clockwise, one counterclockwise. This gets challenging! It may be necessary to adjust throttle settings to make sure each train is able to clear the short common section where the main and branch join together. This is useful with bigger engines that require the wide radius, as they can just remain on the main.
Eventually, stub 1&2 will be extended. I have many ideas, and haven’t settled on the one that I’ll use.
Paul
