Reverse loops

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m a real novice here when it comes to 2 rail,so go easy on me. When you wire for a reverse loop,with all the gadgets they have out there now. Do you still have to throw a toggle switch to change the polarity,or does it happen automatically when the train enters the insulated block??? Thanks Easter

2

If you have DCC, a auto reverse module works by itself. It detects a short and automatically reverses polarity. Auto reversing modules designed for DCC can not be used for DC
For DC, you can rig up an automatic reversing, but it’s complicated. You need occupancy detectors that can determine direction connected to relays

3

Wow I’m going to have my work cut out for me!! Don’t have DCC. Thanks for the input. Easter

4

Easter,

Dead easy way to handle wiring a reverse loop for DC.

  1. Isolate a length of track on the reverse loop, preferably as long as the longest train that will use it. By isolate, I mean both rails, both ends.

  2. Connect the output of your power pack to two DPDT switches. One connects to your isolated reversing section, the other to the rest of the layout.

  3. When the train you are running is on the rest of the railroad, that switch controls timetable direction (north or south, east or west, up or down, or however your management specifies it). Use the switch on your power supply to control locomotive forward and reverse.

  4. When the train approaches the reverse loop, set the loop switch so that the train can enter it. Easiest way to assure correct setting is to put the switch right in the track line of your panel diagram, throwing parallel to the track line.

  5. Once the train is entirely on the loop track, flip the timetable direction switch to the opposite direction. The northbound train that entered the loop will be exiting it southbound, and you want to be ready when it does.

If the reverse loop will always be traversed in one direction (entered and exited through a single spring switch,) you can dispense with the separate DPDT for the reverse loop. You will still need the DPDT for timetable direction, and you will still control locomotive forward and reverse with the reverse switch on your power supply.

Chuck (who uses DC power and has multi-track, multi-train reverse loops for Up staging.)