Group- Sorta stumped here. Referencing the attached jpeg shot of a section of my layout, can I solve the phase mis-match at point "X" with a double gap and reverser? The line labeled 'up from staging' can't simply be reversed due to the boundary further back down the line containing the staging area and a reverse loop ( already has a reverser). Using Digitrax and PSX-Ar's. I haven't sparked up the DCC system yet--still de-bugging areas like this one. Any suggestions are welcome, short of re-routing track, which, if necessary, could still be done but would rather not. Doug Harrington, Houston
The thing is you have three loops, the inner two are the reversing loop but you have another loop outside of them connecting by turnouts near the X. You should gap the turnouts. For your reversing loop to work you need to insolate it from the outer loop.
Where you indicate "double gapped", You only need to double gap the upper (diverging) route into the loop. Around the loop, where you indicate gaps at X, you should gap the inside track before the crossover. Your reversing secrion is then the inside track around the loop between the crossover on the right side and the turnout at the lower left.
Thank you for the insights- reference the attached modifications to the original jpeg. The solution was right there, just shorten the reverse section--still well long enough for the longest train I anticipate. One last question. As depicted in the attachment, are the gaps I have placed between the crossover turnouts really required? Doug HarriNgton, Houston
not yet, which is the reason behind the questions. track is lain, with feeders, bus is run. no gaps cut and feeders not soldered. track has been pwered with dc for tuning any physical and workmanship issues. dc is gone and time for dcc.
Should work. As long as it is long enough for longest train (as noted), and you don't have trains crossing the gaps at the same time (caveat for any reversing)
The best option I see is this... Keep your original double-gapped locations, plus put gaps in the middle of each crossover as in your last drawing. In this option you do not also need gaps at 'X'. It took me a while to realize it, but Doug's suggestion of having gaps at X and not on the diverging route of the loop entrance won't work.
Same thing Rick said....Make sure that you do NOT cut your gaps so that they are directly even or accross from the other. You want to stagger them; maybe an inch so that the wheelsets are not crossing the gaps at the exact same time. Brian
Jagged ben- The way I understood Doug S's comments were to keep the double gap on the diverging route of the inner loop entrance and move the end of the reversing section to just before the crossover(s)--doodling this up in the second modified drawing seems to keep the phase (track B) on the same side of the tracks. Do I not see something here? I'd really like to get his right before I apply power from the DCC system and I go chasing ghosts! If it isn't readily apparent, i'm kinda new to this. Doug (no old mistakes) Harrington
This is N scale. The suggestion in the documentation for the PSX series says ~1/8 inch staggering. Would an inch staggering of the gaps be too much? I don't fully quite understand the necessity of staggering the gaps anyhow. Doug H
Doug, Leave the two double gaps down by the turnout on the lower left in your first drawing. Forget the one at X. Cut the two double gaps in the crossovers as shown in your second drawing. Don't cut the third gap that up toward the upper right. That's it. Those four gaps will isolate the whole inner loop from the rest of the layout and give you the longest possible reversing section. Martin Myers
Yes, I think are not seeing something. It is the non-diverging route that creates the need for a reversing section. Doug actually had it exactly backwards: you could put gaps at X and keep the gaps on the non-diverging route. You would also need gaps across the crossovers. But then you'd have a very short reversing section. Johnny, Martin, and I are all saying the same thing. I should say that we are all assuming that on the unseen portion of your layout to the left, the two main tracks are going opposite directions, rather than acting as a double track main. That is, that they either re-connect to make the layout into one big loop, or that they go entirely different places. It might help to show us the rest of the layout just to make sure we are making correct assumptions.
opposite directions, rather than acting as a double track main. That is, that they either re-connect to make the layout into one big loop, or that they go entirely different places. It might help to show us the rest of the layout just to make sure we are making correct assumptions.[/QUOTE] Well, here goes. Here is the complete lower deck as it does not exist today! Bear in mind this is just the musings and doodlings of a sick mind!!! I'm TRYING to get something that makes sense basically inside the dotted line area that resembles an interchange with some small yard and industries scattered about. I've added notes and text to somewhat try to explain what is and what I see in my minds eye. Doug
The gapping shown in the complete drawing is what I had described previously. The inner loop (including its siding) is thus the only reversing section (indicated by the dots with "R"). The remaining trackage is fixed polarity as indicated by the plain dots. No need to gap the crossover (beyond what it may require to be functional), as the parallel tracks are of the same phase.
I want to thank you all for taking the time to ponder on this 'problem'. After Doug S's first response I re-drew and re-thunk the issue and I have to concur with the final solution of moving the R section beginning at the diverging leg of the first turnout and end to just before the crossovers, as all other trackage would then subsequently be in-phase. This change will not make the loop too short for my longest anticipated train. Kinda embarrassing that I didn't see it earlier. Now to get some more track down and deal with the next set of crossovers. I'll most likely be back! Doug Harrington
