Reverse Loops

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I would like to add reverse loops to my layout, what is the easiest & simplist way to do this ?
Thanks
rozy

2

With 3-rail O, there is no special wiring, just loop the track around and put it on the other end of the switch!

3

With 3-rail O, there is no special wiring, just loop the track around and put it on the other end of the switch!

4

ROzy,

Assuming you have 3-rail or HO marklin, yes.

Only way to do it 2-rail is using R/C (which I’m doing)

5

Dave, it is done all the time with two rails. With AC, like American Flyer, you can simply reverse the polarity of the loop quickly while the train is running. American Flyer made a relay to do this automatically in response to the switch leading to the loop.

For two-rail DC, you have to reverse the polarity of the track leading to the loop, while the train is in the loop, since the direction is controlled by the track polarity.

6

I had a reversing loop on my HO layout and I merely followed the directions for the atlas reversing controller. When I built my first O scale layout (3 rail), I had a reversing loop and I have one on my current layout. It adds interest and as noted above no special wiring is needed.