Well, I have just recieved my Scenic Ridge kit, Kato Unitrak, and some Atlas diesel locos and frieght cars... I had previously modified the ridge layout to add an outside loop so I can easily run two trains... I had also expanded layout to 3 1/2 x 7ft and had 11in minimum radius turns...
Now in looking at the layout, I am strongly thinking of adding a reverse section to the inner loop... only need to add a couple more turnouts and small section of track... Will have to section the power to the inner loop track sections and understand I need a bunch of toggle switches... To keep it somewhat simple, I plan to just stop loco in small section and flip toggle switches and then continue... all my cars have plastic wheels... (so far)... so that section can be isolated. I am not using DCC for this first layout, but a 2 cab dc power setup (mrc tech 4 280)... It the train is going the other way against the switches... I will stop and back thru to reverse... Most likely will limit length of train and increase chances of derailments doing this...
Anyway, I am thinking this will add an additional layer of complexity and "fun" and give me a mechanism to reverse my trains...
I am a N scale newbie, but had an HO scale 40 years ago... and enjoy challenges...
Any thoughts, suggestions, or obvious pitfalls I may be running into?
Thanks much in advance!
Happy RR
pasayten
Now in looking at the layout, I am strongly thinking of adding a reverse section to the inner loop... only need to add a couple more turnouts and small section of track... Will have to section the power to the inner loop track sections and understand I need a bunch of toggle switches... To keep it somewhat simple, I plan to just stop loco in small section and flip toggle switches and then continue... all my cars have plastic wheels... (so far)... so that section can be isolated. I am not using DCC for this first layout, but a 2 cab dc power setup (mrc tech 4 280)... It the train is going the other way against the switches... I will stop and back thru to reverse... Most likely will limit length of train and increase chances of derailments doing this...
Anyway, I am thinking this will add an additional layer of complexity and "fun" and give me a mechanism to reverse my trains...
I am a N scale newbie, but had an HO scale 40 years ago... and enjoy challenges...

Any thoughts, suggestions, or obvious pitfalls I may be running into?
Thanks much in advance!
Happy RR
pasayten
