DC Reverse Loop

[#94]

This is a constant question and always complicated wiring.

My thought and am I wrong.
A DC mainline with a loop at each end, always going into the loop on the straight side of the turnouts. The main and turnouts have power. Each loop are isolated from the main and turnouts. All has power of same polarity wired to the three sections from power pack. Loop, Main, Loop.
No extra power switches/toggles. Only forward and reverse switch on power pack. If I operate train onto isolated loop and stop. Then manually change turnout. Change forward/reverse switch on power pack and then move train onto main and proceed to opposite end and onto the loop and stop.

Each end is a station so not a problem to stop.

[#94]

Edit: Typing when tired does not work.
I need the loop polarity to remain when I switch Forward/reverse.
Back to Googling. Not that it matters but this will be controlled by an MRC Control Master 20

[Len]

While you're Googleiing you should come across a diagram on how to use DPDT relays to automatically switch polarities for the main while the train is in the loop. DC display layouts used this method a lot before DCC and autoreverse modules came along.

If you don't want to build your own, you could use a Circuitron AR-1 module for what you want to do.
Instructions include wiring a couple reverse loop as you describe and can be found here:
http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/ins/800-5400ins.pdf

The Circuitron AR-2 is similar, but allows programing in a 'station stop'.

Len

[jward]

SInce you will always be running the same direction around the end loops, have you thought of using a 3 amp bridge rectifier to handle the loops?

If you connect the AC terminals to the controller, and the DC ones to the track, you will be able to reverse the controller in the loop while the train continues to move forward. I've used this method in the past and it greatly simplifies operation of a reversing loop. There are three things to remember if you do this.
1. This only works for DC, it will not work with DCC.
2. You will not be able to back the train up in the reversing loop. It can only move forward.
3. Run the train into the loop, hit the reverse switch on the controller while in the loop, and you will have the proper polarity to run the train when you exit the loop.