Reverse Loop Staging?

[dcarrell8]

So far my model railroad experience has been limited to simple loops and small switching layouts.  As I move forward with my larger layout one of the first things I need to tackle is staging with a reverse loop.

Does anyone here with more experience with DCC auto reversing circuits see any issue with my proposed track plan, and are there any considerations I need to take in to account before I begin?

~ Dennis

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[GaryHinshaw]

This is pretty straightforward.*  You can put the whole yard (both halves) and the balloon track under the control of one auto-reversing circuit.  You should gap both track just beyond (to the right) the frog of the lead (left-most) turnout.  Since those two tracks foul each other at their respective gaps, you'll never have a situation where trains can bridge both gaps simultaneously.

*I'm assuming that you won't join the two yards with a crossover.  That would create a more complicated situation.

[greenwizard88]

The major concern I can see is that having all of that staging in the reversing loop means having a lot of engines that sit idle in the reversing loop. That might cause your auto-reverser to trip more frequently, or be straight up unstable.

I use digitrax AR-1s, and they give me enough trouble when I go between a high draw engine with sound and a lower current draw engine without sound. I wouldn't recommend them for this sort of application. The PSX-AR might work, but it might not work too.

[wcfn100]

Depending on what's going on with the main off to the left of the diagram, you can use that as the reversing section.

Jason

[bdennis]

Im with Gary. the whole thing on 1 auto reverser. Just use a PSX-AR.
Depending on the try of turnout machine you use, the PSX-AR can also auto thrown the turnout on the far left. So run in and out with out touching a thing.

[DKS]

Nothing to do with the question at hand. But, in looking at the yard geometry, I'd recommend making some adjustments to reduce the prevalence of S-curves and other awkward aspects. Note the small adjustment to the ladder at the top left, in addition to the obvious changes at the loop.



Incidentally, yard capacity is increased as a result.

[Point353]

Nothing to do with the question at hand. But, in looking at the yard geometry, I'd recommend making some adjustments to reduce the prevalence of S-curves and other awkward aspects. Note the small adjustment to the ladder at the top left, in addition to the obvious changes at the loop.



Incidentally, yard capacity is increased as a result.

Yard capacity is increased, plus the lengths of the yard tracks are made more equal.

Given that this is a staging yard, if it's not necessary for the upper and lower halves to be exactly parallel, then the reverse curves entering and/or exiting the loop could be eliminated by spreading out the upper and lower yard halves in a slight 'V' configuration, with the bottom of the 'V' toward the left-hand side of the yard.
This could done for the upper half of the yard with no changes to the benchwork, but would require that the front edge of the benchwork (red/brown line) be moved out a bit on the right-hand side for the lower half of the yard.

[dcarrell8]

Nothing to do with the question at hand. But, in looking at the yard geometry, I'd recommend making some adjustments to reduce the prevalence of S-curves and other awkward aspects. Note the small adjustment to the ladder at the top left, in addition to the obvious changes at the loop.



Incidentally, yard capacity is increased as a result.

Awesome, I knew someone with more experience would help out with this and make it better than my original proposal.  I will adjust accordingly!
~Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Im with Gary. the whole thing on 1 auto reverser. Just use a PSX-AR.
Depending on the try of turnout machine you use, the PSX-AR can also auto thrown the turnout on the far left. So run in and out with out touching a thing.

Thanks for the recommendation the PSX-AR looks like it will work great for what I'm wanting.
~Dennis

[John]

Thanks for the recommendation the PSX-AR looks like it will work great for what I'm wanting.
~Dennis

+1

[CRL]

Nothing to do with the question at hand. But, in looking at the yard geometry, I'd recommend making some adjustments to reduce the prevalence of S-curves and other awkward aspects. Note the small adjustment to the ladder at the top left, in addition to the obvious changes at the loop.



Incidentally, yard capacity is increased as a result.

This is certainly an improvement, but I would make the following adjustments — unfortunately I’ll have to try to describe it because I can’t draw it out out like @DKS did so beautifully.

1. Increase the top yard ladder from 3 tracks + run-through to 6 tracks + run through track. The top track can be pushed back to the wall and should lead straight into the return loop (water wing shape).

2. Personally, I’d use a “compound ladder” on each end of the yard because it would buy a few more inches of yard ladder length but still keep the yard ladder tracks the same length.

3. Eliminate the 3 ladder tracks from the bottom yard ladder, keeping only the run-through track. This will keep the reversing section, comprised of the loop and old front run-through, outside of the yard ladder entirely.

4. You could add a view block between the staging yard and the front run through, and add a couple of industries to service... just because.

[dcarrell8]

This is certainly an improvement, but I would make the following adjustments — unfortunately I’ll have to try to describe it because I can’t draw it out out like @DKS did so beautifully.

1. Increase the top yard ladder from 3 tracks + run-through to 6 tracks + run through track. The top track can be pushed back to the wall and should lead straight into the return loop (water wing shape).

2. Personally, I’d use a “compound ladder” on each end of the yard because it would buy a few more inches of yard ladder length but still keep the yard ladder tracks the same length.

3. Eliminate the 3 ladder tracks from the bottom yard ladder, keeping only the run-through track. This will keep the reversing section, comprised of the loop and old front run-through, outside of the yard ladder entirely.

4. You could add a view block between the staging yard and the front run through, and add a couple of industries to service... just because.

Thank you.
This is certainly worth considering.  The staging is hidden with approximately 10" of room above the yard, which is why I want it close to the isle.  When I get time I will play around with all the suggestions!

[reinhardtjh]

Thank you.
This is certainly worth considering.  The staging is hidden with approximately 10" of room above the yard, which is why I want it close to the isle.  When I get time I will play around with all the suggestions!

In that case you may want to consider putting all 6 yard tracks in front with just a singe track looping around in back since up front is where all the action (and derailments) is happening. 

[Cajonpassfan]

In that case you may want to consider putting all 6 yard tracks in front with just a singe track looping around in back since up front is where all the action (and derailments) is happening.

Yes, this. Before deciding electrical questions, I would ask how the staging is to be operated.
You actually have two staging yards, one following the other. This would work well if the intention is to have separate arrival and departure yards, with inbound and outbound crews ending or starting their runs and a staging operator turning and restaging trains inbetween, but it takes extra turnouts for equal number of storage tracks.
If the plan is simply to come in, turn and be ready to come out, I would suggest just one yard, bypassed by the inbound main. If a run-through track is desired, only one track needs to be kept open, as opposed to two in the original design. The reversing section can be anywhere, even on the single approach/bypass track, provided it’s longer than your longest train.
Just my two cents. Fun stuff,
Otto K.

[Maletrain]

Putting all staging tracks on one side would make longer ladders and shorter staging tracks.  But, the mod to extend the staging tracks onto the loop might compensate. 

BTW, I can't see DKS's suggested track mods anywhere in his post - no picture in-line and no link.  Any ideas why not?