Hi all… I am in the process of planning O scale layout in 4x8 size. I would like to use a reverse loop using two right handed switches. Is there any special condsideration on wiring this layout? Do I need to block or reverse the polarity when entering the reverse loop.
Thanks in advance for your advise[:)]
Not enough information for me to figure out what you’re doing. Are you running AC or DC, two rail or three rail? I have the set up on three rail AC with two right hand and two left hand turnouts on an oval. The turnouts cross on a 90 in the middle. In that configuration, the anti derail feature puts the switches where they need to be, and the polarity doesn’t affect it. The way mine is set up, if you only use two right hand switches, when you reverse, the train is going the wrong way to enter the switches, and you have to back down to get back to going the direction you were going in to start with. I take care of that problem with the two left hand switches: when it is going the wrong way for one set, it is going the right way for the other set, and, of course they reverse it back to the original direction. Confused yet?
Skyray… Thanks so much for the tip. No, I am not confused. I will be running three rail track with a/c transformer. I have seen your similair set up at train shows, but I was not sure of the polarity. Thank you !
Polarity is not a problem with three rails.
One picture is worth a thousand words. Here comes three thousand words:
Train going clockwise on layout I tried to describe.
Then, coming into the right hand turnout to reverse.
And finally, reversed and going counter clockwise. Note that it is set up to enter either left hand switch. But it would have to back up to switch on the right hand ones.
Welcome to forum, Playtrains,
He (or she) writes: Skyray: “I have seen your similair set up at train shows,”
Doug,
You’re famous! [:D]
Naahh-just an inveterate copycat with little sense of originality. I got it out of the back of a lionel book in 1943. It wasn’t in FasTrax back then.
Thank you all! And a special thanks to Skyray for his photos.
Henry[:D]