Newbie help please...

C

chrismarshall

Registered
Hi just wondering if someone could give me some help

I have an LGB starter set and have aquired lots of extra r1 curves, I was planning to do the attached layout but will it work? I am confused about short circuits and reverse loops and could do with some adivce from a more experienced person...

Any help greatly appreciated!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum.
As you have probably realised you have two reverse loops there each with the potential to cause a short.
The solution may depend on your controller, will it be digital or analogue?
I fear you may have some rather steep gradients to obtain the required hight clearance on the crossover. Easing this may make the loops longer and have an influence on the electrical solution to the reverse loops.
 
As Neil stated, to reach enough height in order to have enough clearance for the track below, will require a much longer approach. If you will be running on battery power, reverse loops will not be an issue. If you are running on track power, reverse loops can pose problems for beginners. LGB's Reverse Loop track set is the simplest solution. A very good resource of information is the book "The World of LGB". If you can locate one, most, if not all of you questions will be answered in this book. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
 
I am not sure what you are trying to do here, are there gradients or is it a crossover in the middle.

I would suggest what if you have two loops with the centre not touching in any way you will not have a reverce loop. However of the plan does include an LGB crossover you again do not have a reverce loop.

Suggestions re gradients are valid, you would need one track to drop by around 3 inches and the other to raise by the same to get one line to pass over the other in what presumably is all R1 curves. Not a viable option as the trains would never manage the Gradients.

JonD
 
That does indeed form a pair of reverse loops, as far as I can see - which means all sorts of potential problems and complications. If you're running MTS (digital) then I think you could solve it with just a single LGB MTS reverse loop module (I believe that one module will control two loops?).

Jon
 
We all have gone through the "what track do i want stage" and mostly its dependent on track and space available . If this is all the track you have at the moment but you have more space id go for a wiggly single line with sidings and a passing loop. A pear shape for example what you have there is very limited for any expansion later on and a nightmare to wire up... my moto is Keep it simple keeps it real..... but good luck we all started somewhere
Tony
 
I think I tend to go with Tony's thinking, Chris.

Alhough the track diagram looks interesting, the operating potential could be lmited. unless you envisage DCC, you could still be limited to one train at a time.

Some form of 'pear' or 'dumbell' shape with a passing loop affords the opportunity of two trains - even if you have to wait for the little red fat man later in the year to bring another loco :bigsmile::bigsmile:

It's called future proofing.

When I put my track down, it was the final thing and not going to be changed - and it hasn't...................very much. But it has changed a bit, and so has my rolling stock. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Hi Chris, and welcome to the forum.

Zerogee said:
That does indeed form a pair of reverse loops, as far as I can see - which means all sorts of potential problems and complications. If you're running MTS (digital) then I think you could solve it with just a single LGB MTS reverse loop module (I believe that one module will control two loops?).

Jon
Click to expand...
Agree with Jon. And the other statements regarding gradients.

You will need to isolate and switch the reversal loops as I've shown in yellow, by putting a break in each rail. You could use the LGB yellow isolating blocks or the Massoth clamps, and use a DPDT switch to change the polarity if using DC.

51bf8bebde724954828794d08f6995ca.jpg


If using MTS then the LGB or Massoth Reversing module could be used for both loops as only one train would be running on such a small layout....
 
I have assumed it is all on one level in which case you have the perfect blueprint for disaster here. Start simple, as has been suggested, and buiild up as you go along, I speak from bitter experience, not in "G" but as these guys will tell you I eventually scrapped 40 years of double-oh because I was too ambitious at the start. I think as has been suggested you should start with an oval with added passing loop or maybe just a siding to start with. Keep your options open so that you can add later on. The essential thing is to get trains running, that's what this game is all about. You've got other things to think about, how are you going to lay the track, what is it going to be laid on. Leave space for a platform and a building, and put a lot of thought into where you are going to put the wiring. There, that should get you closer to your 1st nervous breakdown. In ten year's time I reckon you should get your first train running. Don't forget also, most important of all, ask these guys questions, no matter how trivial they may sound, they are sooooooo helpful, as I found out. Best of luck Chris, and keep us informed, we like that
 
Chris,
your plan is a physical and mechanical impossibility. You will require around eight inches for minimal clearance on the overpass track. This height is impossible in the length of two R1 curves (around 24 inches). Your plan is drawn as an overpass and not as a crossover ('X').
 
Ah yes Tim, just had a look properly at the full size pic and as you rightly say, it isn't going to work, but I still have a sneaking suspicion that Chris intended it all to be on the same level. OK Chris, back to you, let's have a look at plan B
 
If it's on one level it still will need 2 curved Y points. Not readily obtainable.
 
Crikey Chris, we're not giving you much optimism, are we. Don't worry about it, wait unti Keith has a go at you, then you will realise that anything can be done, it's just a matter of willpower, Rule 8 and one or two other things. Do you partake of strong drink, might I ask? That often helps
 
Have you thought of plan "b" straighten some of the curves in a vice, all you have to do is pair up the shorter inner rails, and pair up the longer outer rails. Slide the track sleepers in to suit. Alyn
 
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