Hornby HM6000, or HM7000, or other DC controllers

[kebang]

I have been operating this little layout for years now, using 2 DC controllers (1 for revloop ops).

However many newer locos struggle with the 1st deg revloop so I have decided to relay it with the addition of an oval of new 3rd deg curves.

Been planning this for a few months now but when I saw the 'Hornby New Year sale' was offering the i6000 train set for 66gbp (+vat, which I don't pay) I ordered one straight away, as it was cheaper than a 3rd deg Peco oval track set. (This Hornby i6000 set includes the 3rd deg oval, a point, a 2nd deg curve, some straight tracks, a cheap 060 diesel loco, 3 trucks, a1amp power supply and an HM6000 controller)

Can anyone see a problem with using the dual output HM6000 to control this layout? one output for the main layout, the other output for the revloop? (the revloop channel will probably have to be muted, otherwise it will sound like there are 2 locos in motion)

If this is not possible could I use the HM7000 system on this layout? if so how would I wire the revloop to avoid the loco stopping as it momentarily loses power as it traverses from revloop to main track? (possibly a DPDT switch?)

At the end of the day if neither the HM6000 or HM7000 are practical I can carry on using 2 DC controllers (The HM6000 was essentially free and I can experiment with it on my small 009 layout)

[aleopardstail]

DPDT is the usual way to go

DPDT.png (7.68 KiB) Viewed 1927 times

your controller is the red & black wires, brown & blue are the track power feed. the orange and purple ones are wires on the back of the switch and you have a reversing switch (a "centre off" one is not a bad idea), if you can fine one a triple pole is good as you can use the other channel for indicator lights.

given you have to throw this and the controller polarity at the same time its often useful to have a reason to have the train stop on the loop somewhere while you do this to avoid the thing throwing itself into reverse for a second.

doesn't need a different controller from the main tracks, though with the plan you have I can see why maybe you want two so as to run a pair of trains at once.

such loops can be automated, various sensors that throw the polarity for you, to be honest a DPDT switch, or relay, is by far the simplest solution when you drive trains manually