When using the reversing switch, you don't need to stop your train on the reversing loop. You can throw the current while the train is moving as long as the train is moving at a slow speed. Hey SMT, you're amazing for doing this. I never could figure out reversing loop wiring. Thanks again.
This guy has got the right idea. If you don't have the money, or the time, and you can find it lying around and don't need it, then "MacGyver It" ! ! ! - I've done that very same thing for many, many years now.
Love your work mate. I've been following you for about six months or so and I really appreciate and enjoy your teaching. Cheers, from Adam in Australia.
Great instructional video.For those that could afford it. Get a DCC system and buy reverse loop modules. I got the bachmann ones. Work great, no stopping the train and fumbling around with switches. Train goes right on thru. 👍
Very clever idea SMT. The reversing loop looks so cool. I don’t think I would be able to pull that off unless I have a book that tells me how to do it. Lol. Now if I ever decide to make one, I might come back here. Great vid. 👍👍🤘🤘
Good job. I have a power pack like yours that don't work. I am going to try this. When I was younger I did a layout with 2 reverse loops as long as you have your switches turned the right way with out having to stop
The pressure fit screws are called rivets. An 1/8" drill bit is the size to use. Sheet metal shears work for wire cutters but not recommended. I guess the end result is what matters. 👍🏼
If you are on dcc, you can just swap polarity while the engine is moving over your isolated track, because dcc is polar based, but unlike conventional dc, direction is not based on polarity. The dcc locos won’t even break stride
Thanks for the advice not saying I have this problem but if I ever do I’ll make sure to give a look back at this video when ever I remake my layout I’m constructing ,thanks smt 👍
Even though the power pack was supposedly non-working, when I seen his drill bit go in almost to the drill chuck on the first rivet, I was waiting to see how much damage it had done to the components upon the inside when he finally got the cover off the power pack. However it appears he lucked out and no damage was done to the switch he wanted. So, at least most of the good parts can be salvaged and reused for whatever other purpose(s) they are (or may be), needed for.
Another way I’ve seen a reverse loop is a separate power control to the loop itself. I’ll be setting up one on a z scale layout and I haven’t quite decided yet how I want to proceed. I might do a hybrid where the isolated part is the entire loop, this way it’s be similar to your setup, not require a different power source and can also then be used to not only reverse a train but park it.
@@SMTMainline good question. I had to rethink through the logic why when I originally read about the idea, why I decided to incorporate it into my reverse loop. In your layout, your reverse loop is short and really reuses an existing loop, but refuses the direction of the train. In my case, my reverse loop is an entire loop within my layout. My layout consists of three tracks and one reverse loop. Track 1 and 2 are powered by one controller. Track 3 has the entry point into the reverse loop. My entire reverse loop is isolated from the track 3 controller. The controller for the loop is always in the direction allowing the trains to travel forward into the loop (if the switch is open to allow entry). Inside the reverse loop is a circuit track that sends a signal to a relay to switch the direction on track 3 as the train makes its progress through the reverse loop, so that by the time it exits the loop, track 3 controller is in the correct direction to allow the train to travel out of the loop and back onto track 3, without ever having to manually toggle any switches. If I finally add another reverse loop further down in my layout in the same manner, the entire layout would be essentially automated to allow the train to travel the entire layout, switching directions to retrace the entire layout again without intervention.
Actually on Direct Current (DC), power, the two middle terminals are generally the "power input" on a double pole double throw (dpdt), switch. and either set of the outer terminals (on one end or the other, but not both ends at the same time), on a double pole double throw (dpdt), switch can be used as the power output (Load). the "X" (or cross over), wires connected to (between), the outer terminals are the wires that actually do the reversing of the voltage polarity. But be sure the wires of the "X" (crossover), are not touching or connected to each other in the middle, or it would create a Short Circuit, and would immediately start sending up Smoke Signals like a couple of tribes of Native American Indians in the Old Wild West signaling each other, and the insulation (if any), on the wires would start melting when power is applied.
And this is why you almost have 2K subscribers. You could have bought a switch, but no, you went MacGyver and used an old power unit. Awesome. By the way, when you said “Don’t do this” were you referring to drilling into a power control box or attempting comedy? :)
Thanks for your kind words. Using this method has saved much in the way of time, money and resources. Now as for telling people to not do stuff, I generally meant not to open up controllers however I believe it could also be applied to my next level comedy.
My train set wasn’t working so I went to papa bens train shop and got a new track and power cable It worked when in switched it And I got a new locomotive while I was there 25 bucks for a working,complete and a little noisy train There was 2 but I couldn’t buy the other because I didn’t have enough money Moral of the story: trains are amazing
