I think that if you look at this as an AR within an AR. the answer will be more apparent. Scott Haycock

The problem with lighted cars (and locomotives) is the duration of the short between the 2 sections (the reversing section and either the section you are leaving or entering). With just metal wheels

How about a variation on this theme of "back-to-back" ARs: I am planning a yard at the end of two legs of a Wye. It is a small yard and should only have one operator at a time (the Yard Master). So

Wouter, Thanks for this morning’s confirmation. I’m pretty confident I’ve got this AR thing worked out — at least the basic principles. Of course, the devil is always in the details in

Blair, Thanks for the cautionary warning about future train length. The passenger train is already 7+ feet long (maybe too long for my layout!). It certainly won’t get any longer, not the least

Bill, If you succeed in doing that, you can forget about it and it'll never come back to bite you. If it turns out to be difficult, you can always post the track plan here and ask others for advice.

Bill Sounds like you've discounted this option. Keep it in mind, though, as should your desired train length increase, you'll otherwise run afoul of the AR length again. Blair

Given this limitation, my lengthened AR segment will now include a turn out. I assume that, properly insulated, the only operational limitation the presence of the turn out presents is to avoid

Thanks Wouter. That’s what I feared. My original question, to which you posted a most helpful response (and on which your 99% assessment likely was predicated), assumed no lights in trailing

It matters very much. Fatally, for too long trains. Nobody would feed the interior lights off just one axle, and as soon as you have more than one the die is cast. Wouter

“I have a brand new GP60 I just got out of my storage cargo trailer yesterday and discovered it would not move. I'm now in the process of cleaning out that 'peanut butter lube'. I also got out 2

Lawrence Varady 2:32pm #196094 I will post photos and would like help on determining how to wire AR1'(s) for my layout. I am using an Atlas 2564 DEAD FROG crossover. I will not be running any

Thanks John. I do understand and agree with your explanation. Sounds like that is the basis for Wouter’s "99% of the time" assessment. Query, in your view (and for purposes of Wouter’s 99%

In regards to your question #1. You need to understand how a reversing section works. When a car with metal wheels crosses the gap at the beginning of the reversing section, the metal wheels cause a

Thanks Don. That confirms my understanding too. And an excellent explanation as well. I plan a segment as long as my N&W A loco and tender to be safe, but that’s not all that long and there’s no

Wow, Dale, thanks for that information. I believe that is new to the previous discussion of this topic some months ago. Great addition to our collective knowledge base. Bill D N&W Steam Only

The minimum length of fixed polarity track between two AR sections needs to be only as long as a typical power pickup truck where more than one axle and steel wheels are connected electricity

Bill, depending on which devices you are using for autoreversing, you may be able to connect two autoreversing sections back to back without an intervening non-reversing section. I know for sure of

Well, if it's one train, perhaps consider plastic wheel sets on the last two or three cars, if you have problems? Just a thought.

Wouter, Thanks for the authoritative answers. The minimum length issue is really critical to the design and operation of my layout. My minimum length concern arose when I realized the N&W passenger