where to put gaps in reverse loop

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi All,

Soory for poor drawing, i ahve a reverse loop that wraps around the back of a helix, the train can either enter the helix (up ro down) or just past right through it and continue on through the reverse loop and back out. I know i need gaps at the switch on the botton where the reverse loop starts at each leg of the switch, but do i need any on the switches by the helix and if so where?

Thanks for the help!!!

2

hi ward,

it is not cutting caps only; the wiring can be rather complicated. I would buy a book.

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12412.html or http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12448.html

or, i think this one is great: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12207.html

Paul

3

Thanks paul,

I would be using an auto reverser like I already have on another loop the psx-ar, but a simple loop is one thing im not sure what happens with othe switches going into the loop.

4

Gap the entrance and exit, then use an auto reverser to power the section.

5

Hi Thanks for the reply, i know I need to gap the enterance and exit on the switch on the bottom , but do i need gaps by the 2 switches conected to the helix?

6

Oh that looked like an entrance and exit to the helix. In that case you might have a complicated setup depending on what’s going on at the top of the helix. You might have more than one reverse loop depending on your setup. Do you have any pics or more info on the top portion?

7

I’m certainly no wiring wizard, but I’d guess that gaps are required only in the legs of the turnout entering the reverse loop. If a train enters the loop, but goes into the helix, it’s not reversing, only going either up or down. It’s still travelling in its original direction.

Wayne

8

heres a better pic

9

Unless the radius in your helix is pretty large, you may have some trouble with your grades once you allow for the necessary transitions from level to grade. Have you built a helix before? Have you built a layout with grades before? What radius are you planning for the helix? Is this HO?

Seems like you are working hard on electrical solutions for a physical arrangement that may be somewhat unworkable depending on the specifications

10

The helix rad = 36 its built already and has a lower level already built that is handlign staging, this part you are looking at is only on the main deck and i wanted a way to turn the train around and go back down the switches that you see in the helix and the one below are all on the same deck. grades have not been an issue yet. thanks

thanks