LAST EDITED ON May-08-04 AT 10:40 AM (EDT)
As noted earlier (http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID6/11623.html#3), the prototype for the route I am building (Switch Back Gravity Railroad) topologically is an oval with a switchback at about the halfway point. I mentioned that my solution to the MSTS "loop restriction" was to put gaps on both extremes and, on each end, have specific sidings for arrivals and departures, and use activities to kind of provide continuity.The prototype oval is actually twisted over itself twice (two overpasses), and when I untwisted it on paper, I realized that, really, there was only one reverse loop.
Further, I realized that I might be able to get away with only one gap as shown. That, in fact, is the case. The position of that gap is the Mauch Chunk terminal, and, as before, there are parallel departure and arrival sidings (not shown here), each with a gap to interrupt track continuity. The left hand end, which used to have a gap also, is the Summit Hill terminal, and there is no longer any needed to have separate departure and arrival sidings.It is interesting to note that, if you warp the picture above slightly, the new track configuration is topologically equivalent to a wye (gleisdreieck for my German friends).Progress on the Switch Back Route can be followed at http://home.stny.rr.com/wniehoff/sbsim.htm .Walt
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RE: Results of Loop Experiment, OTTODAD, May-08-04, 12:35 PM, (1) RE: Results of Loop Experiment, WaltN, May-08-04, 01:19 PM, (2) RE: Results of Loop Experiment, OTTODAD, May-08-04, 04:21 PM, (3) RE: Results of Loop Experiment, WaltN, May-08-04, 05:17 PM, (4) RE: Results of Loop Experiment, OTTODAD, May-08-04, 05:41 PM, (5) Here we go loop-de-loop, sniper297, May-08-04, 07:33 PM, (6) RE: Here we go loop-de-loop, OTTODAD, May-08-04, 09:12 PM, (7) RE: Here we go loop-de-loop, OTTODAD, May-08-04, 10:38 PM, (8) RE: Here we go loop-de-loop, sniper297, May-09-04, 00:44 AM, (9) RE: Here we go loop-de-loop, OTTODAD, May-09-04, 12:35 PM, (11) RE: Here we go loop-de-loop, WaltN, May-09-04, 10:14 AM, (10) RE: Results of Loop Experiment, jlef, May-09-04, 06:01 PM, (12)
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Here's the shortest possible circle, requires throwing about a dozen manual switches in either direction. In the activities, once the last switch is thrown to complete the circle, the next switch ahead resets to straight, thus breaking the circle and leaving all manual switches still controllable.
Crossovers like this hide the circuit from MSTS, if the player doen't throw a switch curved, he's heading into a dead end track.
Coming up the North Pass, approaching the Combs Landing cutoff (gotta fix them signs). If I don't throw this switch, I'm heading for the south Newcastle wye, if I don't throw THAT switch I go thru Newcastle to the north Newcastle wye, curve there I'm heading to Armstrong, leave it straight I'm going thru Davis Ridge/Clitheroe Junction to a dead end in the Xacto copper mine. Without throwing a switch curved SOMEWHERE, you're always heading for an eventual dead end. 
Throwing the switch curved, I'm now heading for a dead end track in Combs Landing.
Unlike a main divide, this overhead arrow indicates an immediate dead end.
Note F8 switch arrow in lower right corner, the switchlamp is linked to the curve track, so with the switch straight the signal shows red.
Throw the switch curved, the switchlamp spins around to green, headed for the mainline again.It's now possible with those kind of shenanigans to drive continuously around the whole PO&N either clockwise or counter clockwise, and if you're familiar enough with the route you can reverse directions. The PO&N is so completely loopy now people are gonna confuse it with the Chicago Elevated.
I like the size of your Cab Signal indicator ! As you said, it sure catches the driver's eye ! Take Care, O t t o.