Advanced Lesson On Using Reversing Loops With DCC Model Trains 

Thanks Jim I followed what you did and ended up have a double revesing loop thank-you again

That was definitely a pretty good video for running everything in the house

Did not expect that to happen, but I actually watched and listened through the entire thing.

One important tip that I forgot to mention in the video is that the length of the train running through the reversing loop needs to be LESS than the distance between the two double-insulated track sections. So, design your layout so that the length of the reversing loops is greater than the length of your longest train. Your train must not ever have the center of the train between the two double-insulated track sections and BOTH ends of the train (the front and the back ends) dangling outside of the reversing loop. That can cause a short.

Excellent. If I'd ran into your videos a year ago, I wouldn't have ended up giving up on the hobby last summer after only six months..

I love how every layout is different,it wont get boring for you then or for all of us watching.

Thank you Jim for making this very easy to understand! The one thing you and I have in common or should I say two things in common!... We both love model trains and cruising!☺🚂⛴ Maybe my wife and daughter will run into you and your wife on one of the cruises! ( We've been on about 30 cruises not as many as you!)

When I was in my teens the technology was toggle switches for reverse loops nice to see there is something better

Excellent video, great video work and voice over. Best part,,,,, no music.

I never thought I would find model trains interesting/fun to watch. Cheers mate!

this is SERIOUSLY the best home model railroad i have ever seen!! Keep up the good stuff!!

Wow. I watched this video because of the train layout information and you're running a White Pass train - we rode that railline this past summer and, for me, it was the highlight of a wonderful trip. Amazing railroad. The highlight was the upside down railcars at the bottom of the canyon - wiped off the tracks by an avalanche. Nice job on the video.

Thank you zim for doing this video you make it easy to understand 👍

This guy must have THE most patient wife. #lifegoals

This is great! Personally I prefer a simple loop of track. I tried multiple times to set up all different configurations of track around my house and while I have fun running the trains on complex arrangements. Afterwards I’m looking at those tracks like they are eyesores and trip hazards. A simple loop can look very nice sometimes. I’m guilty of placing track around the house myself (maybe not to this extent) but it happens 🤷‍♂️

"G," Jim. Excellent training. Cheers!

I love this video. It's just what I need to know, including the information about what to by to make this happen. What about a double reversing loop?

Your trains are super cool and I like the Amtrak one

You are the Vanderbilt of model trains!

Well what a fantastic well put together video. Thank you very much for doing this.

Very cool jim, wish I had the room for G scale

This was so cool! Thanks for sharing!

Did I just see an old style consolidation class steam train? I love those

Wow! Stunning video! Thank you!

Much thanks Jim, I have been looking for instruction on how to wire a reversing section of track using 2 switches back to the main and all I could find was "loops" back to the same switch. So one reversing module will control one isolated section of track. Seems simple.....

Great video! Thanks for your cheery demeanor. :-)

This is part two of how to use reversing loops on a digital model railroad layout. Watch part one, where you are using the LGB Santa Fe Super Chief passenger train lead by an EMD F7 diesel locomotive #202. And now, you are bringing out the LGB White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ALCO diesel locomotive #107 pulling a passenger train with a caboose from the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway to run on the layout in part two of taking reversing loops to the next level. Making the train to travel in the opposite direction by using reversing loops on the layout, you need to use more double insulated track sections, more reversing loop modules, 90 degree crossover pieces, switches, sidings, and buffers and we're in business. And so you isolated the reversing loops from the rest of the track, otherwise, you will and can create a short circuit. And then, once we mastered on how to use reversing loops on a digital model railroad layout, then we can start to be very creative with our digital model train layouts. That is how you, Jim Zim, come up with new, unique and different layouts every time you set up your G scale model trains, instead of getting locked into one static layout in the backyard. This is Thomas Comeau, signing off for tonight until tomorrow. Good night!

Very intereresting and nice video! Congratulations!! Greetings from Spain

Very nice video and fun to watch. Have a nice day.

I love these tutorials! Keep up the good work!

Great fun. Well done.

That is awesome, very ingenious. Thanks.

Love G scale, but can't afford or have the room for it. I employ the same freestyle floor traclaying for my HO: a new layout every time.

What a lovely tidy clean room! My wife would never let that happen!

Models trains this size remind me so much of Tom & Jerry. They featured in several of their most classic gags.

Awsome information.Im just getting into G scale a needed to or should I say want to have a reverse loop so I don't need double trucks in making and using a reverse loop on each end in my first G scale layout.I still need to thingamajigs that is needed with the reverse loop sections what were those little wired into the units the black 15t something or other.would be a huge help to learn and gain the right information as to not have shorts.Thanks again.

Transport Tycoon Deluxe. Amazing!

Wow! You know what you are doing. TFS

Hello Jim, Interesting video and interesting info. I shall have to watch again to see what those modules are you used. Thank you for the info. Kind regards, Leo from the Netherlands

Dude, I stand entertained!

great vid Zim.my son loves ur trains. he's 2

Very good thank you. It could be put on a shelf as a permanent layout

Great post Thinking of getting into this......? A passion for Harley’s and playing blues harp Wonder if the wife will up for this ?

I discovered your channel w/i the past hour. your video was very enlightening and encouraging. Thank you. I have a lot of catching up to do. What scale train are you using here? Again thanks.

Great work with all these track layout in the house but I have a question: where are all the electrical wires hidden?

Awesome trains !

Doesn't the Misses get annoyed with you laying down track all over the house? I wanted to do a G scale garden layout around our small pond and she nixed that by saying " Isnt there enough room for it in the train room?" Might have to suspended it from the ceiling around the perimeter of the room.

Good ideas.

he sounds like the guy on the tv show how its made

Nubie question here (especially with DCC): At 3:16 you mention the 90 degree crossover piece. Why doesn’t that cause a short circuit when the two tracks cross? Doesn’t the entire track, including the crossover, need electricity?

Good one, Jim.

thank you for this video. I was wondering where you buy your g scale tracks? I'm just getting into this hobby and just purchased my first train kit (g scale), new in box new bright rail king 375. I read I can put my train on a different set of track and controller without and modifications. Wanting to set up indoors and outdoors for the holidays and special events and just because. Thanks again.

Nicely done. I have one stupid question - are the different tracks in a crossover electrically isolated? I assume so, but wanted to make sure. And I have been on the White Pass and Yukon train. It is an excellent trip, and I highly recommend it.

Best ! Grande ! FantastiKoo !

love it!!!!!!

Possibly a dumb question but let’s say your running multiple trains on the same track dose the reversing loop have any effect on the train outside the loop?

Just found your video. Looks like a lot of fun. Was wondering if you have a problem with carbon dust buildup on your carpet at rail joints? Built a loop around the Christmas tree with g scale and had that happen. She was not happy with the ring of black spots on the carpet

Is there a way to wire a non-DCC reverse loop layout to run seamlessly like this?

Very interesting - thanks.

Thank you sir.

That is awesome

Our kids and grandkids are depending on us . Thanks jim .

Awesome video thanks!

Nice informative video, I'm guessing this is G or large scale set ? Can you give us viewers a list of the track and power packs you are using on the first loop we see ? Thank you, sorry I'm a year behind (bad health problems) again. . Thanks !!

wow amazing nice done it look like real

Great, love your video

You, Jim Zim, now have Thomas the Tank Engine, Winston the red track inspection car with the Lego version of Sir Topham Hatt aka the Fat Controller in the driver's seat, Percy the Small Green Saddle Tank Engine, Emily the Stirling Tender Engine, Toby the brown steam Tram Engine, and James the Red Tender Engine. When are you going to get the analog version of Devious Diesel from Bachmann's Thomas and Friends to be added to your collection of G scale model trains? Let me know when you reply to me. As always, I am Thomas Comeau and I will see the replies from you, Jim Zim!

I would love to own that White Pass & Yukon Route locomotive you have.

Thanks for the videos. I'm rather new to LGB so would be really grateful if you could clarify something for me. Is it correct that if I just use the LGB reversing loop track sections alone that I'll be able to create a basic reversing loop but that it would only allow travel in one direction? If I additionally connect the AD520 this would allow travel within the loop in both directions? Thanks.

WOW! FUN!

Thanks Great idea!

Great video!!

Jim can you please tell me how to do a reverse loop with just DC power?

Love it awesome

It's been nearly 40 years since I played with model trains. Do the digital trains now use AC current on the tracks or still use DC current? 40 years ago the DC loops were isolated and you had to manually switch the polarity of a section of track the train was running on. Are the new digital trains smart enough to do this themselves or how does it work now?

You should get the pike clean machine with sound I don’t know if it is realest yet but I think so.

I am trying to learn more about DDC track wiring and this reverse loop is part of what I want. Great to identify the electrical modual but would be nice to see how this is wired. Does this just get powered from one side of the track and modual provide isolated power to the loop? So the track just needs power at one location?

Jim, what gauge railroad do you use? I'm just getting into it, myself.

Very nice, I've subbed

Hello Jim. In the video I see the both of the insulating units for the reversing loop are 'LGB 1015T' when looking at the web site LGB shows the set as a pair '1-1015T and 1-1015K'. Is this different than your layout? TIA

I really, really don't want to think about asking she-who-must-be-obeyed permission to run the extra tracks through her bedroom ,.. Yes. We're scheduled for the Alaskan Railway this coming July.

Isn't it easier to make AC-power supply from rails and control all the locomotives you have on your rails via wi-fi or stuff like that? Of course loops can make short circuit either and should be insulated as well, but it's easier to control movement of each locomotive.

I’m new to trains, how were you operating the switches? Thanks

Hello Jim, I have a question. How do you power such long, incredibly long carpet runs? Do you have a bus wire under the floor? I've seen 8'X4' layouts that need bus wires for even their small layouts.

Will this work with TE Revolution and do you need to install magnets under the train?

Do I need a double insulated track section?

Don't you have to throw two switches to get the train to reverse?

Did I miss the brand/model number of the reversing gear? I see the LGB isolated track sections, is the reverser the MRC AD520?

Hello Jim, what control central do you use to power such huge number of trains? I use Z21 Central and I can control two trains only. Z21 gives obout 3 Ampers current.

nice one..jim

Are you able to run multiple locomotives in a consist through the reverse loop?

4' radius curves in some areas?

To much fun..🚈

OK, NICE BUT HOW DO YOU DO THIS IN Ho? WHAT DO i NEED TO MAKE IT WORK? AR-1's. DO SEE ANYTHING ON RU-vid EXPLAINING DCC.

Wait do I see an infinite layout? (A layout with an infinity symbol in it) 👍😀

What about it you use Lionel fast track do you need one of those reverse loop modules if you make a reverse loop

Wow but after seeing that I certainly stick with merklin H0 because I don't have to watch out for reversing loops.

Excellence!

are we going to see a cruise video any soon ?

What brand is your DCS? I tried to find one.