There are a number of ways to add weight to rolling stock so that it will better handle the track and is less likely...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How can I add a measured amount of weight to my rolling stock?Read more -
How do I service my model railway locomotive?Read moreServicing your model railway locomotive is an essential part of maintaining its performance and longevity. Regular...
-
What glue and paint should I buy for my Airfix kit?Read moreMost Airfix kits do not include any paint or glue, if you are not used to making models this may seem like a bit of a...
-
What different types of layout are there?Read moreThere are many ways in which you can construct your layout, there are several common types that have names you might...
-
What is a briar patch?Read moreA briar patch is a thicket formed from thorny plants and can often be found growing in abandoned or derelict sites as...
What is a reversing loop?
A reversing loop is a railway track that splits at a turnout, the diverging track then makes its way around in a big loop before joining the same turnout, but from the opposite direction.
For modellers who have enough space to fit a reversing loop, they are very handy as it means a train can leave a station and disappear through a tunnel. Whilst out of sight, the train can then magically traverse the returning loop and pop back through the tunnel as though it had been to its destination and come back again, and all without having to uncouple or touch the locomotive or train.
Of course, there are some continuity issues here, not least of which the whole train will appear to have somehow turned 180 degrees rather than just the locomotive changing ends, but for busy layouts, they are just the ticket.
Installing a reversing loop does, however, come with a word of caution. Most model railway tracks operate using a positive and negative rail, positive on one side, negative on the other. If you follow the route of either rail from the turnout, around the loop, and back to the turnout, you'll soon discover that what was once the positive now forms the negative and vice versa, or in other words, there will be a short circuit.
The remedy to the problem is simple and involves isolating the loop at both ends and installing a switch to reverse the polarity. There are a number of switches that will do the job from a basic DPDT switch to a fully automated electric point motor accessory switch. Which switch you will need depends on the type of points you're using and the depth of your pockets but there will be a solution for you.
Posted in: Model Railway
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Insulated Rail Joiners (12 in a pack)
Price: £ 5.10Insulated Rail Joiners, compatible with Peco and Hornby track. Each pack...
Insulated rail joiners code 75 (12 in a pack)
Price: £ 5.10Insulated rail joiners code 75 12 in a pack
Related posts
-
What scale is Hornby?Hornby model railways are OO Scale or 1/76th that is 4 millimetres to the foot (12 inches). It runs on a track with... - How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This...
- Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are the model railway eras?According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not...
- Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory...