Hello everyone, i am begenning the track work on my reverse loop but im not sure where to isolate it at? Can someone please recommend the isolation points and where to install the auto reverser? Many thanks!
Frankly, I think that diagonal track that createa a reverse loop serves no purpose whatsoever and could just be elminated. Pull the link to the engina facility from the right hand side of the yard, and the link to that mine or whatever siding from around where the turnout is for the top part of the diagonal - flip it arouns and use a right-hand turnout.
–Randy
I disagree, respectfully, of course. I carefully designed my layout with two reverse loops, facing opposite directions so I could reverse an entire train regardless of which direction it was going, without backing up.
I agree with Mr B’s respectful disagreement.
My layout has two reversing loops, one left-to-right and one right-to-left. Both are useful, and both were designed that way on purpose.
Robert
I’m a newbie at gaps and reversing section, so I’m just throwing this out to see if it sticks or gets shot down.
Going right to left and down the diagonal, I’d gap after the slip switch or crossing and I’d gap before the turnout above the coaling tower? at the top left.
is that the best location for a reverse loop?
when would you use it during operation?
is the yard at the bottom intended for staging or a switching yard during operation. If it’s a yard, not staging, shouldn’t the turntable be located near it to turn engines round?
Is that a crossing or a double slip?
Rich
Yes, butt there is only one reverse loop in this plan, so you can’t easily change back to going the other way. ANd there IS a turntable in the engine facility, to turn the loco and send it back out to a train going the opposite direction.
Plus in the words of John Armstrong, this makes the plan somewhat “insincere” in that the cutoff completely short circuits a section of the layout. From the previous plannign thread on this, the tracks are at different elevations, and the whole thign is a single track railroad, so it’s kind of cheating to cut across the whole end loop and get to the yard, or get from the yard to the industry that is supposedly on the other side (and maybe at a different elevation).
–Randy
The ability to turn a train around is a nice option on a MRR. Doing it on the “fly” just seems a little weird to me, however, my experience is limited on such things.
How about a balloon track around the RH to turn the train around, it is what I have done and can be prototypical.
My version.
I am going to agree with Randy, and say that the track plan would be better without the reversing crossover.
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-Kevin
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I’m not into auto-reversers and don’t have a clue how they work or installed but as a DC guy I would go with a long block around the curve for maximum train length.
I like his plan, very unusual but I really like it.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning
I like it as well, it is a layout of benchwork that I wish I could incorporate in a room. I would do a couple of things a little different but those are minor and more personal preference in nature. The layout should be fun.[Y]
If you want just to change direction of movement for giggles or relief of some kind, why not do it nearest the ‘neck’ to the end of the middle peninsula? Have the option to go around that curve the ‘wrong way’.
Mel, your suggested solution would work, but an additional pair of gaps would be required on the end of the turnout below the turntable that leads into the small two track yard. That would completely isolate the reverse loop and prevent a short. Otherwise, I like your solution because it isolates the reverse loop without involving the crossing (or double slip)
Rich
Soo many good suggestions and points from all of you, i really appreciate them all. On one hand i wouldnt mind eliminating the reversing section but i just spent $60 on the Peco double slip lol. On the other hand i am all for simplicity and eliminating any chances of a short circut lol. You gentlemen that are suggesting a different route to take instead of the double slip reverse loop, it would be awesome if you could maybe do a rough sketch and show me what you are thinking, i am more of a see it kind of guy when it comes to things like this. As for when i might use it (The reverse loop), i really hadnt given it much thought. It will be only me running trains as i have no friends around here that are into model railroading so i dont see an ops session, it would mainly be more for versatility or just something different. As i said, i really appreciate all the suggestions and comments so please keep them coming. I have not laid any of the track or roadbed for the reverse section as of yet so that part of my plan is still open to editing…Thanks again everyone!
Gotcha Rich.
I think the doubleslip is great, keep it. I like the large loop full train reversing.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m
Ahh, so it is a double slip, not a crossing.
If you want to keep that track as a reversing section, go for it. But, as others have pointed out, once you reverse direction, you are somewhat stuck with no easy way to get back to the original counter clockwise direction. To solve that problem, you could add a second reversing section on the lower left side of your track diagram by running a section of track diagonally from the bottom of the loop back up to the point where the train entered the loop.
Rich
Simple fix
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Yep, just add gaps to isolate the lower reverse loop.
Rich
Randy, is this what you mean by removing the double slip and reverse loop and adding switches?
