Hopefully I can explain this. Looking at the attachment I had two separate mainlines with each having their own power. I wanted to be able to have a cross over so I could change track, (as shown in the photo) but I need to re-wire to make it all work. Question is, what do I need to do?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
My old fashion method--cut a gap in the center rail of the crossover which separates/isolates the two power districts. Naturally when an engine crosses it will have its leading power pickup in one district and its trailing pickup in the other--same with lighted coaches, some Cab cars.. With Command Control your have 18 VAC in both districts so no problem. With conventional railpower I used to try and equalize the voltage somewhat. But usually just hammered on across.
With some track switches power does not flow through the switch so you will need to solder /connect a hot wire to each side of the gap..I am years out of date but as i recall I had to do that with my Ross Switches.
Hi speed crossover- I like but tearing it down
Insulate the center rail of each switch, where they turn toward the other. You will need 4 insulating pins, or toothpicks, or just gaps between the center rails. Looks like you have wired your switches for remote control. You'd have to insulate the inside rails on each switch, to get them to work properly, in any event.
This Ross right hand turnout is also wired for non-derailment, which means a train coming from the top or right side would electrically throw that switch to the correct position when a train touches the inner rail. So....if this were a switch in your arrangement, just insulate the center rails on each turnout, but not the straight. You'd have to insulate the turnout track at the point where it meets the other switch, otherwise you would lose power to those connecting tracks between the switches. If you keep power on to both mains, there should be no skip and control would change from one power source to the other. If you're using two transformers, they will have to both be in phase. if you notice a skip or dead spot, you're out of phase. Just reverse the plug of one of your transformers, meaning pull the plug, spin it to the other side, plug it back in.
Other guys may have a simpler way of explaining it, but, the layout looks cool!
Jerry
Joe,
Are you running DCS, Legacy, or conventional?
Legacy
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
