Hi All
My track is laid and I am ready to start wiring. I am using a Digitrax DCS100 Command Station with a DT402 Throttle that has been converted to a DT402D. My scale is HO. I am looking for someone who would be willing to look at a copy of my layout and advise me on reversing loops. I believe I have 2, perhaps 3, reversing loops. I have a PM42 and I have not divided my layout into districts. Advice on connecting my PM42 would also be appreciated. I can email a copy of my layout, which will be much clearer than when I have tried to add a copy of my layout to a post in the past. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks,
Jack F
Jack, do see if you can’t find a way to post your layout here. Try using imgur to host the image(s). I feel you may get much better response. [tup]
Is this the same layout you posted about in March? Did you get it into a layout drawing program?
Edit, just looked at the old thread. If it’s the same plan, you could have just continued that thread and this diagram.
Hi All
I did make a small change to my layout that I believe may result in an additional reverse loop, but I am not totally sure. I tried to find a drawing program to redraw my layout, but I just didn’t want to pay the price for just doing one layout and take the time I would need to master the program. I did redraw my layout in Word and when I added it to a post, it was just too fuzzy, when enlarged, to see the details. I will try again to add my latest drawing to a post using the program Cid suggested. Perhaps I will have better luck. Thanks for your comments.
Jack
I don’t see any reversing loops on the track plan posted other than the one that says “polarity problems”. You can connect the red and green lines all you want and it won’t cause a problem.
On the other hand if you connect red to red or green to green, then you have a reversing loop. For example the “polarity problem” location connects red to red.
If you don’t want ot buy a CAD program, try just drawing it NEATLY by hand, on large paper (not a piece of regular letter size) and take a photo. For purposes of figuring reverse loops, the turnouts and curves don’t have to be drawn accurately like they would to actual make a plan to fit a space, it’s more important that the locations of the tracks be clear and accurately placed. Use good solid colors if there are multiple mainline loops. That will make it possible to trace around the various lines and see if you end up coming back on yourself going the opposite direction, indicating a reverse loop.
–Randy
You state that your track is laid.
If this the case, figuring them will be easy.
Take a boxcar, put red tape on one side and green on the other.
Push it through the area you think forms a reverse loop. If it comes back on the same track, with the other colour towards you, it went through a reverse loop.
Then figure that out, and go on to the next.
Cid
I have uploaded an image of my layout to Imgur. How do I add it to my reply?
Jack
Open your image in imgur. There is an Image Link button to copy the url (link adress). Then use Insert/Link to add it to your post.
If you don’t see a list of links on the right side of your picture, hover your mouse over the upper right corner. You will see Get Share Links. Click on that.
The easiest link to use in BBCodes (Forums) Copy that. Paste it directly in your message. Do not use any picture or link icons.
This link
https://dccwiki.com/Reverse_Sections
also provides information similar to the red-on-one-side boxcar to show reverse loops, if any. In DCC, there is a gadget you can purchase to wire to the reverse-loop portion of your layout to to take care of the “phase mismatch” in either entering or leaving the reverse loop. The article explains that a PM42 is indeed the required gadget, and the article shows how to wire it.
Thanks! I’ll give it a try.
This is a drawing of my layout, https://imgur.com/YeoQOFU , I hope! Basically, my interpretation of the N&W Portlock Yard and the N&W Lamberts Point Yard are represented by the following areas:
The Red Track represents the track my passenger train will use between Norfolk, VA and Western VA.
The Blue Track represents the track my coal train will use between Norfolk, VA and Western, VA.
Tracks B and C, and E and F represent the Portlock Yard.
Tracks J through N represent the Lamberts Point maintenance yard.
Tracks R through JJ represent the Lamberts Point Classification yard.
Tracks MM through OO represent the Lamberts Point Gravity Yard.
Tracks PP through RR represent the Lamberts Point Empties Yard.
The letters are used to talk about certain areas of my layout. The numbers represent switches.
One other person pointed out two reversing loops, but I made a few final changes when actually laying the track.
I do not plan on diving my layout into districts unless it is necessary. I have purchased a PM42 to control my reversing loops.
On imgur, click on the image. A set of links will appear on the right side. Click on the copy BBCode, then paste it on this forum. It won’t appear until you post it.
Here it is:
Thanks, I see what you are talking about. I’ll be sure to use that next time.
Jack
One thing to keep in mind: It is not recommended to use the PM42’s auto reverse feature with a power district on the same card. Timing between the breaker and the autoreverse may be an issue. So use a seperate device for the auto reverse.
You can configure both types of sections on the same PM42, but you may encounter issues if you power an AR section from a breaker section on the same PM42.
(Personally, I switched from PM42’s and AR1’s to BXP88’s and BXPA1’s. Although the PM42/AR1 combination worked fine for me, you get more bang for your buck with the newer solid-state devices.)
I like all these letters and numbers, makes it easier to comment.
The reversing loop I see is 21-32-35-10 vs 21-46-45-16-10
I don’t see 3-4 as a reversing loop. I might add another crossover between A & C so both lines could change direction. Once they make the crossing, they can’t return unless they back into the other track.
I just see 24-46. As the traffic will be just a loco and tender coming to/ from the TT, 24-46 should be long enough.