Ross # 6 Turnouts

I run my Ross #6s without relays and have no issues. I've not tested the smallest of my equipment as of yet, however. So far the smallest have been mostly scale mid-sized stuff, like GP7s, 30s and 38s. These same units did have trouble on my double cross over, where I did ultimately install relays to resolve.

I don't have a #6, but the #6 curved sure needs a relay!  I have a first edition command Weaver 0-8-0 with pickup spacing of 4 1/8 inches that doesn't like to go through anything!  It fails over #4s sometimes.  Darn thing does not have any pickup on the tender that I could use to countermeasure the problem.  

Not to hijack the thread (guess I am) but speaking of relays and Ross turnouts, I have a question. If you have lots of relays (just 10 for me) do you ever test them to see if all is well before an operating session to be sure you don't wind up with a lead rail powered through the normally closed relay contacts that is incorrect for the train direction over it and you get a short when the first wheels hit?  A blown fuse, if you use them, just means there is no lead rail power so something just stalls.  But a failed relay can allow a short.  Do you just run and not worry about it, or have you devised a simple way to test that does not involve hauling a meter all around the layout? 

Some smart person on the forum wrote that it is a good idea to mount relays close to the edge of the layout to facilitate changing one that failed or its fuse if necessary.  So I did that as you can see in the photo which is one for a Ross double slip. I toyed with the idea of running the power feed to the relay's contacts through a spdt ON/momentary ON toggle which when moved to the momentary position would direct current to a light bulb. Then while holding the toggle switch, throw the turnout back and forth a couple times and see if the test light blinks on and off.  Heck, as I write this I just realized that a relay that intends to fail is likely going to do it DURING operation, and you could run through the upset turnout in the operational scheme of things at any time. Never mind.    

I've got a bunch of Ross #6's and #8's (including curved #8's) and have not had to use relays on any of them.  However, the short wheelbase Lionel early era inspection car will NOT traverse any of them without halting midway through.  Solution for me was to cease running it - just worth the hassle of wiring up relays for a car that would be rarely run.

Otherwise, the shortest engine in the roster is an Atlas SW8 TMCC which runs through them all.  I am awaiting a 3rdRail Strasburg Mollie and hoping it's not a problem.

Thanks for the comments, I ran a short test yesterday through the # 6s, without relays, and all was well. One engine has only one pickup per truck, went through without a hitch, as did a PS-3 SD-40. So we decided not to use relays to power the lead rails. Also when we use relays on our #8's we switch common power to the lead rails. Have much smoother running than using the hot or center rail power to them.   We have a PS-2 Genset that doesn't want to go through any turnout so we just won't run it except a medium to fast speed.

2 rail spy here.  I use resettable breakers at the shared frogs on double cross overs involving different power sources for each main.   Diamond relays mounted readily accessible  on DIN rails positioned at knee height 10" inboard. 

New spare relay is mounted adjacent to the DIN rail.