Reversing Loop

Garden Railroading
1

Hi,
I have a reversing loop planned for my new layout and I am planning to use LGB’s reverse loop kit. But, this means that I will still have to manually switch the direction. Does any one have a solution or possibly even a better way to do a reverse loop without using LGB’s kit?
Thanks for your time and Knoledge,
David

2

Since you are using track power, the only advice I could give you is to go DCC. Digitrax for instance, has a automatic reversing unit that is a hook it up and forget it deal. It does it’s thing, and you run trains. No switches, nothing to fool with after it is hooked up.

3

Thanks,
I had thought about DCC before, but its a bit too costly for me since I’m doing this project off of allowence, but I’ll probably wind up up with down the road.
Thanks,
David

4

Another possiblity is don’t have a reverse loop. Use a dogbone layout. Just a suggestion!

5

David,

If you want an automated LGB solution take a look at this PDF:

http://www.lgb.de/pdf/00559interim.pdf

Hmmm, can’t seem to raise the LGB website. But that PDF does show how to wire up an automatic reversing loop. Too complicated for me but it should work.

Best,
TJ

6

For a simple, manual way to do it, see

http://www.gardentrack.com/Info/reverse.html

7

Thanks for your suggestions, I am going to use diagram on how to make an automated one.
Thanks for your time and knowledge,
Dukebasketballer

8

Hi
Iv’e used track detectors from www.dallee.com
I had a single mainline with a reverse loop on each end.one detector would switch the turnouts,second detector would reverse polarity of main line.Give them a look,not to expensive. Good luck, Hobo

9

I recently ran across a site that a fellow had set up a reversing loop that didn’t need to switch the points. It was set up for one direction only. He modified a turnout so you didn’t have to throw it. I can’t find the site now. Does anyone know the one I’m talking about?
He fixed the points in the siding direction, and then cut a gap so the train would go straight through when facing the points. The siding side could only be used to return to the straight part. Locos usually aren’t a problem with forcing the switch over, but cars will commonly derail, because of lack of wieght, if the switch is not in the proper direction.

10

I think the original poster meant switching the loco direction, not the points of the turnout.

Whether you make the turnout one way or not, you do have to do something when you come out of the loop, since the track polarity must be reversed. You need a box that senses the short circuit when your loco straddles the two different polarities when emerging from the reversing loop.

In DCC, you would get a booster that auto-reverses when it senses a short.

By the way, DCC is not that expensive. When you start doing reversing loops, and separate the main line to separate blocks, all the extra electrical equipment starts to mount up. DCC is much easier to wire.

If you have only one loco at a time on the track, then DC with the associated electronics is cheaper.

To solve your problem in the most inexpensive way, you need to isolate the loop power from the main line. You also need to be able to reverse the main line polarity independently of the loop. If you always enter the loop from the same direction, then you might be able to save one DPDT switch, but why?

Set the loop polarity so that it matches the main line. Once you are in the loop, reverse the polarity on the main line, and when the train exits, it will keep running forward, rather than short out.

Regards, Greg

11

No wonder O-guage Hi-Rail is so popular.