Turning Engine

I prefer a reversing loop to turn the whole train, though I wouldn't mind a wye if I had the space without having to give up something else.

I have several big steam engines that are a big pain to turn. I didn't have room for a turn table but I do have a balloon track with 072 switches and curves that makes it easy to turn them around.

 

AL

 

Via which method.  All layout allow the HOG (hand of god) method to turn rollingstock.

 

But I'm still planning my layout, and this has also been one of the sticking points for me, to turn or not to turn.  The front runner has a way to turn O54 engines, but not bigger, and with a removable section so it'll only be in place when I want to turn items.  Everything else will be via the HOG.

I find that trains running around in the same direction over and over and over and over again gets really old, really fast. Of course my layout is only 5'x10' which exacerbates the problem. 

It would be a "nice to have", but takes up too much space for me.

A 072 turning Wye is an absolute necessity on my layout. I also have two reversing loops. One of the reversing loops uses two 072/054 curved switches, so it's use will be limited.

 

Gilly

Turning capability doesn't have to be a separate and distinct part of a layout, like a turn-table/roundhouse or dedicated wye. It can often be designed in, part of why I prefer reversing loops. I can even imagine any straight section, along with the surrounding landscaping, being mounted on a Lazy Susan type platform.

My reverse loop is just part of the layout.  It will look more like a local short line once finished.   Here's a jpeg of the mainline:

 

 

 

 

Here's an image of the lower level yards/staging:

 

 

We have a wye on our lower level and a turntable on the upper level of our layout. Both ways of turning an engine are fun!

I didn't allow for a reverse loop. I simply have half my locos facing one direction and the other half going the other. Once the cars reach their destination the head end is brought into the yard for servicing and a "freshly serviced loco" ( facing the opposite direction) is ready to take the cars back.

I had a single reverse track on my old 7x16 garage loop layout but when I moved everything into the house and redesigned the plan I used a Wye (located on an island in the middle of the room) to turn the engine.  That was later taken out and a Wye was added at the side of the mainline loop:

 

 

 

The "island" Wye was used just to turn the engine, but the present Wye enables me to run the train in either direction out of the small yard (bottom left) around the mainline loop then back into the yard for the return trip.  The left-most track is my link to the "offline" section of the RR.

 

I thought of getting a Turntable, but this was easier and less expensive unless I made my own TT.

the old 5 finger 0-5-0!!!

Popi, hard to do that with a large steam engine and tender   It'll take an 0-10-0 or doublehead the 0-5-0

 

I wonder how folks are going to reverse the direction of the new BigBoy?!?!?!

The "0-5-0' worked fine for me when I was a kid and will be my 'go-to engine' when I

get up-and-running.  This time I'll use cotton gloves to avoid fingerprints.

 

     Hoppy

I have a loop to loop with crossovers, so I can change direction in four places. Looks more like a double track setup.

 

Clem

You know, I've been wondering if anyone did that. I think part of the stumbling block designing my bedroom layout is the desire to have trains go in both directions and I think this might be a way to do so without the need to devote real estate to reversing loops. Thanks for mentioning this as I'll give it a lot of thought as I go forward with the design.

Mine will be turned by the HOG if I feel a need to turn it, which will be unlikely.  Still designing my layout and want a double main.  The outside main will be O72 due to space limitations, so it will only run on the outside which will be a CCW route.

 

 

It's a good reason to buy more locomotives for sure.  And if you buy two of the same, park one in a hidden siding or two track spur.  One goes in and the other comes out, but to those that don't know, you somehow turned it around.

Having grown up with a layout without turning facilities, I now view them the same as power windows on a car.  A Luxury that I would rather not go without.  I didn't need it but it sure made life easier. 

 

Nathan