I increased the distance again and the problem has vanished. The additional distance is probably allowing the train returned to a more stable movement. Thanks for the help everyone.

It is not a 'S' curve. This "'The turnout portion of each are going in the same direction." sb "The turnout portion of each are on the same side"  It looks like this  ___\__________/___ , the right turnout being the #4.

1) If the points on the #4 are set to go straight, the train going left thru it has no problem making the turn on the Snap turnout. Set the points on the #4 to turn and the train derails on the Snap turnout.

2) The derailing occurs at high speeds. going in either direction at lower speed does not cause a derailment.

3) If you hold the switch hard against the rail the train does not derail.

Last night, I increased the length of track btwn the turnouts and run the train thru 20 some times. The increased length definitely decreased the occurrance of the problem.  Today I will probably separate them some more.

At this point, it appears to me that going thru the #4 when the points are set to turn are probably causing some instability the rolling stock did not have sufficent time to recover from.

I played with this some more and found what is triggering the derailing. I was hoping to post a picture because it would easier than explaining but here goes. The Snap Switch turnout is separated from a #4 turnout by a standard piece of 6" track. The 'Y' portion of each is pointed outward. The turnout portion of each are going in the same direction. Passing straight thru the #4 turnout thru the straight track to the Snap switch turnout the train derails while making the turn on the Snap Switch if the points on the #4 turnout are set to make a turn. It doesn't derail if the points on the #4 turnout are set to go straight. In other words the setting of the #4 turnout is triggering the derailing on the Snap switch turnout. I verified this multiple times.

I was playing around with it today and have figured out what triggers the derailment but I don't understand why. If someone can tell me how to post an image I will post a couple to show whats going on. Is an image posted as an attachment?

I am having problems with a standard remote Atlas Snap Switch turnout. The switch is set for the train to turn off to the right. The loco makes the turn without any problem but the rolling stock it's pulling insist on going straight.  Needless to say, this don't work so good. I don't know if it would make a difference but the switch machine is not yet wired and being operating manually. Any thoughts, anyone?

Ken,
I started in this hobby only last April and tomorrow I am going to start wiring the power for the second part of my first layout which will bring it up to 92 sq ft. The first thing I did was to buy a some starter books. There are variety out there and they all give you the basics. After that it will be easier to get your arms around all there is.

The loops will be more than long enough. Maybe there is something I dont understand. When the train has crossed over the straight connecting section and into the next reversing loop, is the fact that train has not totally cleared the other reversing loop relevant? In other words, if the one auto reversing module changes polarity in the both reverse loops because the train crosses over into the second loop before the train has cleared the first is it going cause a short?

The original design was going to have a longer middle section but this structure of double reversing loops was longer than I realized
I want to go with this design because I want a inner loop that is
1) less boring than just a plain loop because by playing with the turnout switches there are 4 paths the train follow thru this structure
2) when the train moves out to the outer loop in can go in either direction
3) it should provide some interesting train wrecks

How do you post it as an image? Is it posted as an attachment or is one of the unlabeled BBC tags used? The Post Reply isn't clear on how to do it.

Due space limitations I have to shorten the straight run btwn the two reversing loops. Now I have the situation that the train will be on both the reversing loops and the straight section in btwn at the same time.  I can't see how one reversing module would handle this. Is there a way that I can imbed a diagram in this thread to show what I am trying to do?

Thinking some more about what you said I think I understand why you are saying 1 module should handle it. We will give that a try and see what happens.

There will be two reverse loops with a straight run in btwn. The straight run will have a double crossover to an outer loop.
From the wiring diagram for the module it would appear that I will need two modules, one for each loop and each loop will need to be isolated.

I am planning on expanding my DCC layout. I was going to add two reverse loops that send the train back and forth with a fairly short run btwn them so they will be used heavily. Would there be any danger of the auto reversing modules overheating?

I guess I needed to be more specific. I am using Atlas remote turnouts with the switch machines and button control boxes that come with them and powering it with the AC on a Bachmann controller. I don't make a habit of switching it back a forth. I did it once in an 'I am about to have a train wreck' moment and noticed the diminished response. I duplicated it a few times with the various switch machines on the layout. Nothing seems to damaged and will avoid doing so again.
Thanks
Paul

I have had my first layout up and running 3 months now. During that time I have observed that if one flips a remote switch machine back and forth a few times quickly the response of the switch machine seems to get weaker and weaker. It seems to recover if left alone for a few seconds. My understanding is that remote switch machines utilize two solenoids. I am guessing that by flipping it back and forth quickly, the solenoids not being given enough time for the magnetic fields to dissipate and are working against each other until they do. Is my guess correct or am I seeing the beginning of some kind of problem?

Jim,
Stealing the address did not help. I still have the same problem. Oh wel. I still have room for running 19 trains which is never going to happen. So, I guess I can live with it.