My Layout - Update Birdsville RR

virtual-bird Dec 28, 2005

  1. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Bruce;

    For reverse loops you need a reverse loop module/switch that's available from many sources. Connect two wires from your mainline outside the loop and then two wires inside the loop to the reverse loop module/switch and that's all there is. The reverse loop module/switch does the rest when a train enters and leaves the loop.

    Have fun.... [​IMG]

    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  2. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Im lost bob..

    any chance of a diagram explaining what ya mean?

    Thanks
    Bruce
     
  3. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Bruce:

    Here is a diagram for the Lenz reverse loop module/switch wiring. They're all the same:

    [​IMG]


    Two wires into the module and two wires out. It's a piece of cake..... [​IMG]


    Don't let the reverse loop prevent you from wiring your layout initially for DCC.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  4. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would suggest to strongly think about usin DCC...it rocks that much!!

    I would also suggest to finish your wiring prior to scenery work, this way if you have to fix something....it may be easier to do so without having to tear up any completed scenery.

    I would hold off on the majority of the scenery until all of the mechanics and electronics are completed. Of course there is no right or wrong way to build and I am no expert, just my two cents worth [​IMG]

    Congrats on becoming operational and good job on your station. looks good now and you can always weather it in the future when the shiny look finally gets to be too much to stand any longer [​IMG]
     
  5. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Bob..
    No track comes back on itself like that. its basically one large loop round the board twice, crossing over/under with a few passing tracks and sidings.
    All lines running parallel to the others, up the hill, round the corner at the north end dont cross over, and the upper section is a loop, not a reverse loop, its up one track, round the loop, and back down the other.

    You have me worried.. :( Can you show me where I would need that??
    [​IMG]

    I do appreciate you helping me here! If its something I need to sort out early, I'd be into that!
     
  6. Matthew Roberts

    Matthew Roberts TrainBoard Member

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    It looks like you need to do that on the top inside track, it switches off, then goes back on itself.
     
  7. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Bruce:


    The diagram I posted is a reverse loop in it's most simplistic form.

    Have you run a train through all your track on your layout. You must test all the track by running a train.

    If nothing has shorted out, you don't have any reverse loops.

    I can't see all the track on the left hand side of the overhead shot.

    Your layout is basically similar to the JJJ&E, but mine is larger length and width wise and I have one yard in the middle of the layout on the upper level.

    I run two parallel mainline tracks to a height 7 1/2 inches above the lowest point on the mainline.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  8. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I also dont see a reverse loop unless all of the track comes together on the far left. Like Bob said, run some trains and see what happens. Probably the best and most simple test to do.
     
  9. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Fear not you blokes.
    Here is photo of that end that you cant see in the bigger picture!!!
    [​IMG]

    There are more photos in my Railimages album.

    I've run a few trains through there now, inc my GS-4 WHICH RUNS ROUND THE PLACE WITHOUT ISSUE!!!! :D :D

    I hope this sorts out the issue.

    more photos later on tonight I hope.
     
  10. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Bob. Here is another photo of the North End, where I think you were talking about possible reversing loop..
    [​IMG]


    My test GS4.. he went round without a hitch!
    [​IMG]

    The station windows maynot be to scale, but it will look good when finished [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Bruce:

    If your GS-4 went around ALL the track on your layout without shorting out , you don't have any reverse loops. Make sure all the track has been tested.

    Wiring for DCC is easy; two 14 gauge bus lines, one for each rail and feeders from each section of track, especially turnouts and crossovers for both rails.

    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  12. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Bob.. Ran for about 20mins non stop trying the passing tracks, and different sections. the only thing i didnt try was the dead end sidings, but they are a given.


    I have replaced a couple of dodgey points I had in there though, so testing was worth it.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Bruce:

    Looks like you're ready to roll.With no reverse loops to consider, wiring a layout for DCC is really easy. [​IMG]


    Have fun... [​IMG]

    Stay cool and run steam..... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  14. disisme

    disisme TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bob, there sure isnt a reversing loop there, though it sure does tend to confuse the eye after the 2nd time around [​IMG] I cant find any reversing sections at all, so its goood to go in that regards.

    Virt, I am wiring my HO layout for pure DC (10'x10' double deck), but have not discounted DCC later. While I am making NO provision for a DCC conversion in the actual wiring, I AM making the wiring 'easy to remove in bulk'. Heres how I am doing it:

    Throttle - Each wire runs to a terminal strip, with all terminals jumpered so each screw is 'hot' all the time.

    throttle strips - blocks switches - one wire runs from each throttle term strip to each block selector switch (whether DPDT or rotaries like I use is irrelevant).

    block switch - controol panel 'bus' strips. - The center pins of my block selectors run to another terminal strip located on the edge ofo the control panel. these terminal strips have each pair isolated from each other (unlike the throttle oones which are all linked electrically).

    Control panel - track. - From the control panel I run wires for each block out to 'strategically positioned' terminal strips located under the benchwork...one wire for each rail being controlled. All the blocks in the general facility run their feeder wires down to this terminal strip.

    Now, since almost every wire is connected via screw type connectors on terminal strips, if I want to remove an entire section of my layout I simply undo a few screws and drop it off. If I want to remove the entire control panel, again, undo a few screws and its free. Replacing a throttle....2 screws.... Converting to DCC, relocate the wires from the control panel bus to the track and put the directly on the throttle terminal strips. All the rotaries just became redundant by doing that. Connect the DCC Control station to the throttle terminal strips and bingo, your cooking.

    All these wires might sound a bit ugly, but there is VERY little soldering required (at rotaries and at the track rails themselves..thats it), and the wires between the control panel and each track terminal strip can be 'loomed' together in that black plastic tube they put in cars now..its cheap as chips from and auto accesories joint.
     
  15. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Dissime:

    On first glance there looks to be reverse loops present. On very close examination, there aren't any.

    The best way to see if you have a "hidden' reverse loop, one that's not immediately detectable is to run trains through the entire layout.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:

    [ January 12, 2006, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
     
  16. disisme

    disisme TrainBoard Supporter

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    Indeed Bob, I had the same trouble you did....I thought 'somethings not quite right here' where tracing the route, but after doing it 2 or 3 times its fine [​IMG]
     
  17. minitrucker-AZ

    minitrucker-AZ TrainBoard Member

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    When you are running a engine on your layout looking for problems and shorts could it hurt the engine when it comes to a short? Probably not a good idea to run a good engine when looking for track problems right?
     
  18. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    If your power supply has a circuit breaker in case of a short, there isn't a problem.

    On my Lenz DCC system, the command station shuts down the moment a short is detected. I never had a problem in over six years with a loco melting down.

    Stay cool and run steam.... [​IMG] :cool: :cool:
     
  19. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    Ive run my old RS11 round it numerous times before I let the GS4 loose!!
    I was worried that it wouldnt go round the curves, thats the main reason I gave it a run, although the passenger cars are binding on each other where the door surrounds on the cars hit as they go round the corners (in real life they are joined so when you go from car to car you dont get wet, not sure what they are called)...
    anyone else come across this issue? one way is to lengthen the couplers so cars sit apart more, but they look SO good close togehter
     
  20. virtual-bird

    virtual-bird TrainBoard Member

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    ok, its been up and running for few weeks now..

    Is it normal at this point to just enjoy running instead of hitting the next stage (it still isnt wired properly!)
    lol
     

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