Automatic Reversing Loop?

[Mobi]

Is there any way to automate the switching of the track as shown in the attached image?

The train should follow direction as shown by arrows, without manually switching the point.

1. Is it at all possible using analog track power?
2. How to do it when not using track power (i.e. battery loco)?
3. I guess it is possible using DCC but I am not looking to invest in DCC.

Is there an easy (availability + effort + cost) solution to simply change the point once train passes?

 

[Gizzy]

1. Yes, by using a DPDT switch and 4 isolators.

http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/lgb-10260-insulated-rail-joiners-4-pieces-361-p.asp.

Or you could purchase the LGB 10151 reversing loop set. (One for sale in post #5)


http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/lgb-10151-reverse-loop-track-set-1976-p.asp

Both reverse the polarity in the loop.

You will need to stop your train in the loop and reverse the direction of your controller. You can use LGB manual points so you do not necessarily need to have a point motor.

2. As the battery loco has its power on board then this is not an issue.

3. Yes it is but you need a LGB 55080 reversing module or the Massoth equivalent. Or use a DPDT switch as per analogue.

As for changing the point, if you use LGB manual points you don't need to change it as the spring mechanism allows you to 'push through' the blades....

 

[PhilP]

So you want to change the point, not to actually change the polarity of the track? - Seeing as you are battery R/C..

You can do this with a simple spring, to hold the point over to ENTER the loop, along the 'straight' path through the point..
Then as the loco exits the loop it pushes the blades over, against the spring, as it exits..
The point snaps back, after each axle passes through, and when the train finally exits the loop.

This does mean you can only travel in one direction round the loop, without manually altering the point against the spring.

 

[stevelewis]

The MASSOTH reverse loop unit can be used for automatic use on analogue systems, I beleive, I have never used one for analogue, but it does appear in the units instruction manual. sugest you look at Massoths website

Really If you can it is very much to your advantage to use digital, save loads of wiring and remember with digital you have FULL power always in the track, so no issues occur when you run a loco slowly ( the voltage is regulated byt he decoder)

 

[owlpool]

Ive got one of these which you can have for £15 plus p&p if you're going to run track power on analogue

 

[Gizzy]

View attachment 203527

Ive got one of these which you can have for £15 plus p&p if you're going to run track power on analogue

Looks very familiar Paul?

And just what Mobi needs if he doesn't want to get involved with any wiring....

 

[owlpool]

Looks very familiar Paul?

And just what Mobi needs if he doesn't want to get involved with any wiring....

correct, Giz
we never got around to using it as we concentrated on steam and battery r/c

 

[Mobi]

I had a look here.

http://track2.com/info/lgb-reverse-loop/LGBReverse.pdf

It seems complicated process

You can do this with a simple spring, to hold the point over to ENTER the loop, along the 'straight' path through the point..
Then as the loco exits the loop it pushes the blades over, against the spring, as it exits..
The point snaps back, after each axle passes through, and when the train finally exits the loop.

Thanks but it seems hieroglyphic to me Any diagrams? Is it a pure mechanical solution?

Regarding LGB 10151, it seems it only contains track sections to control the polarity. Who is going to actually switch the points?

 

[PhilP]

I had a look here.

http://track2.com/info/lgb-reverse-loop/LGBReverse.pdf

It seems complicated process




Thanks but it seems hieroglyphic to me Any diagrams? Is it a pure mechanical solution?

Yes, my 'spring' solution is purely mechanical.. Unfortunately, I am diagrammatically challenged, so hopefully someone will dive in with a diagram / photo / aerial video of a loco passing through a sprung point! Guys??

 

[Gizzy]

I had a look here.

http://track2.com/info/lgb-reverse-loop/LGBReverse.pdf



Regarding LGB 10151, it seems it only contains track sections to control the polarity. Who is going to actually switch the points?

As I mentioned in my first post, you don't need anyone to operate the point; you can simply drive your train through a spring loaded point like the LGB ones. I do this on my own layout.

And it's done on the real railway too. The WHR does this on passing loops.

If you don't like the idea of complex wiring, then Owlpool's LGB 10151 set (which were originally mine until I went digital) is the simplest and ideal solution for you....

 

[Mobi]

you don't need anyone to operate the point; you can simply drive your train through a spring loaded point like the LGB ones.

Still don't get this bit. Is it only true for electrical points? My points are mechanical only.

 

[Gizzy]

Mobi, this is how I shunt on my railway;

The point levers on my manual LGB points are simply pre-set for the run round loop. Even the uncoupling is done without any human intervention.

I used the same technique for reversing loops with the LGB 10151 set....

 

[Gizzy]

Still don't get this bit. My points are mechanical only.

Are your manual points LGB ones? The mechanical levers have a spring inside them.

Set the point for the straight route as per your diagram, push a wagon around the loop and back into the point.

Let the wheels of the wagon push the point blades across. The blades return to the straight road because of the spring mechanism inside them....

 

[owlpool]

The spring in the manual lever holds the point to one side
the train approaches from the front and is directed that way
after proceeding around the loop the train approaches the trailing side of the point, passes through the sprung point which remains set as before after it has passed
the LGB 10151 prevents a short circuit and sorts out the polarity

 

[Mobi]

Let the wheels of the wagon push the point blades across. The blades return to the straight road because of the spring mechanism inside them....

Never examined the points in that much detail. I thought train will derail if I don't set the points correctly beforehand. Will try to today.

Does it mean that if I use battery power, I need no new equipment to achieve this?

 

[G-force1]

Points can also be set to 'trail', or stay the way the last train passed. Ideal on a loop, as the train will go one way round the first time, and the other the next, it adds interest.

 

[owlpool]

Never examined the points in that much detail. I thought train will derail if I don't set the points correctly beforehand. Will try to today.

Does it mean that if I use battery power, I need no new equipment to achieve this?

Yes

 

[ntpntpntp]

And it's done on the real railway too. The WHR does this on passing loops.

Yep, and RH&DR Dungeness loop has sprung points at "Britannia points" - exactly what Mobi's trying to do.

 

[Mobi]

I tried and it worked! Although it works fine with new points it was bit hit and miss with older (used buy) points where I guess spring was not strong enough.

Just another example how life could be better if not using track power.

 

[Ian_S]

Hows it make life better if not using track power? - You can do this if using track power - Its got nothing to do with electrickery running through the rails - a sprung point that is......