"non-derailing function" for non-Lionel Switches?

Easily done.  Just isolate the frog rails and add a wire between them and the switch machine.  When the wheels complete the circuit between the outer rails, the switch throws.

I have Ross switches with the DZ-2500C switch machines, they have the provision for non-derailing built-in.  You just have to wire it to the proper rails on the Ross switch to activate it.  The DZ-2500 is also TMCC compatible, so you have command control of the switches as well.

@Lehigh74 posted:

Easily done.  Just isolate the frog rails and add a wire between them and the switch machine.  When the wheels complete the circuit between the outer rails, the switch throws.

Thank you. The Google-meister found this. Am I on the right track? (pardon the pun)

[Edit] And is this technique as fast as Lionel's own? We've hit the Fastrack switches at warp 10 and no issues.

You cannot do that with Atlas without additional electronics to prevent burn up should you use a long train or park an engine on the insulated rail.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have Ross switches with the DZ-2500C switch machines, they have the provision for non-derailing built-in.  You just have to wire it to the proper rails on the Ross switch to activate it.  The DZ-2500 is also TMCC compatible, so you have command control of the switches as well.

Wow, so it works both slow and fast. Looks pretty cool.

Probably time to make the jump to Atlas/Ross, I think.

Nice switches, don't have enough experience with the DZ-2500's to comment on their reliability.  They have a lot of functionality, just waiting to see how reliable they end up being.

@JackO posted:

And is this technique as fast as Lionel's own? We've hit the Fastrack switches at warp 10 and no issues.

The brand of switch (Gargraves, Ross, whatever) doesn’t determine how fast it goes.  The type switch machine determines how fast the points throw.  I use DZ1000s which are pretty fast.  I previously used NJI machines which were also fast.