Comments on: Reversing Loop for a DC Atlas Code 100 Track

By: Frank B

Frank B — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:12:16 +0000

You have chosen a challenging track topology ! If you want to see why, draw the layout track with one rail red and the other rail blue.

Reversing loops result in the red rail becoming the blue rail, which needs a special switching circuit to prevent short circuits. (There are automatic switching systems for this.)

It is do-able, but I advise that you get a sound grasp of basic electricity from a basic book on model railroading which covers electrics and reversing loops.

By: Jay Ross

Jay Ross — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 17:05:48 +0000

The simplest way to do a reverse loop, would be to find and use an Atlas Controller. They are designed to handle reverse loops, and are not too hard to connect. For your particular track plan, you may need two Atlas Controllers. On the back of the package I believe there is a use diagram, or you may find it in an Atlas catalog. The Atlas Controller is basically a DPDT switch in a convenient easy to use package. As for the brass track, it will still work, it’s just cantankerous to use, and hard to keep clean, the new nickle plated track is better.

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 00:16:36 +0000

In reply to RP. Thanks for ideas

By: RP

RP — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 11:32:12 +0000

Hi Terry,

What you got there is a figure88 plus two connections 2=4 and 1=3.
I would wire the figure=8 as a continuous loop and wire it to reverser (DPDT) no1,
2=4 to reverser no2 and 1=3 to no3.

3 reversers should do it.

By: Bill Suarez

Bill Suarez — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:55:29 +0000

Hi Terry.

David’s comments on the brass track are spot on, the maintenance on brass track is challenging.

To answer your question on the reversing loop for DC the easiest way to do this is to use a DPDT toggle switch that is cross-wired to change the polarity of the rails inside the loop. You will need to plastic insulating rail joiners on both rails at points, 5,6,7 & 8. Here is a good article for reference: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/reverse-loops-model-trains-2382604

Good luck and enjoy!

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 04:50:41 +0000

Unless you want to spend all your modelling time cleaning the brass track, ditch it to a collector or a recycler for the price of the brass. The world has moved on my friend, and Nickel Silver is the metal of choice in 2021. It is slower to tarnish, more scratch resistant and has a lower resistance to the flow of electricity than brass. Also, the Atlas points (switches) have undergone a number of upgrades making them easier to use and there are a variety of configurations to make building a layout more realistic. I recommend that you look at more modern products for greater satisfaction.