Three-Rail Innovations' E-Unit Cycler can be used to implement a lot more than a simple back-and-forth track. Layout ideas are illustrated to suggest what can be done for your layout.

Each layout idea is shown with a track diagram, isolated outside-rail track blocks identified, and EUC features employed. These basic layouts can be adjusted to fit available space and combined as desired.

The layouts can be implemented with any track system. See Track Systems .

A track diagram, shows isolated outside-rail block boundaries, track switches, and EUC features employed. Detailed wiring and EUC connections for each feature employed are shown in the E-Unit Cycler Operator Manual.

Regular, not isolated, track is shown in black. Isolated outside-rail track is blue. Outside-rail block boundaries are highlighted with a small red circle. The EUC feature employed for the track block is shown.

Some EUC features need to control center-rail train power separately from other parts of the layout. These are shown with a small red "X" for isolated center-rail boundary and track in light blue. The adjacent isolated outside-rail track also has the center-rail isolated.

Five "layout ideas" illustrate the basic features of the E-Unit Cycler. The sixth layout idea incorporates all the illustrated ideas into one "Grande Design."

The layout ideas will open in a new, full screen window. A navigation table at the bottom of each screen can be used to display any layout idea in that window. Use the "Close" box to close the window and return to this screen.

The Loops with Reverse Track layout idea has a track loop, a reverse track loop, and a reversing track. A single train traverses the layout. The train has a number of routing options, including the track loop, taking either reverse track, and continuing or reversing at the Reverse/Station Stop within the loop.

The Switchback back-and-forth layout uses track switches to extend a simple track length into multiple segments. Since a back-and-forth layout doesn't need track loops to return the train, a lot of track can be put into a small space. A single train completely traverses the layout in one direction, reverses at either end, then completely traverses the layout in the other direction.

The Double Yard Manager layout idea has a two-track train yard at each end of a length of track. A train waits in each yard. A train traverses the track, entering the unoccupied yard track. The waiting train leaves the yard and traverses the track to the other yard, where the action is repeated.

The Train Exchange layout idea has a passing siding with a reverse track on each end. Two trains run on the layout, each waiting in a passing siding until the other train is also in its siding. Each train runs the full length of the layout.

The Two Line Crossover layout idea has two independent reverse tracks that intersect with a track crossover. Trains move independently, reversing at each end, and stopping when the other train is over the crossover.

The Grande Design layout idea incorporates the Loops, Switchback, Yard, Train Exchange, and Crossover layout ideas into a layout that is much more than back-and-forth!

Three-Rail Innovations' E-Unit Cycler is used to implement all the back-and-forth layouts shown. Click the bar to get details.