



When the train leaves the reversing section there is no display of sparks! The train enters the reversing section and, whilst the train was totally inside the reversing section, the power to the main line was reversed. It is powered through an independent reversing switch. In a traditional layout, a reversing section is insulated from the rest of the layout. Phase refers to the condition that state of Rail A is always the logical opposite of Rail B. There is no concept of polarity with digital, as there are no positive or negative values. Since Digital Command Control uses a digital signal on the rails to provide both commands and power to the decoders, there is no polarity issue, as the signal consists of only logical high and low values. With DCC, Rail B is held to ground while Rail A is Positive, which then flips (Rail A is held to ground and Rail B becomes Positive) to construct the DCC digital waveform. Reversing sections include: Wyes or triangles, turntables, and reversing loops (ballon tracks).ĭigital Command Control has phase issues, and a reversing section will cause a dead short if not wired correctly. A reversing section allows an engine (or train) to enter in one direction, and leave on the same track heading back the way it came. Not quite true!Įxcept for 3-rail track, all electric train layouts have to be specifically wired when it comes to reversing sections of track. When you heard about Digital Command Control and all its advantages, they told you there is no need to worry about polarity issues and reversing sections.
