How To: Reversing Loops On A Digital Model Railroad

In this video, I explain the trick to making a reversing loop work on a model railroad that uses a digital control system.

Without taking some special precautions, creating a reversing loop on a two-rail model railroad layout would create an electrical short circuit. Using a $30 gizmo from the Model Rectifier Corporation called a Reversing Loop Module, it's possible to create a reverse loop without causing problems with your train's power supply.

This tutorial will explain how it works, and give you a visual to make it easy to see where the problems lie and how to easily overcome them.

The one thing I probably should have explained better in the video is how to electrically isolate the loop from the mainline. You can clearly see at the 2:45 point in the video two short LGB insulated track sections that are labeled with LGB part number 10152. Those insulated track sections are the key to isolating the loop electrically from the mainline.

After you've finished watching this video, take a look at the sequel: a second video about reversing loops, which covers a more advanced use of reversing loops in a model train layout.    • Advanced Lesson On Using Reversing Lo...  

Music credit for the end of the video:
"Guiton Sketch" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: http://incompetech.com/