Crossover options

[Penn1974]

I am planning my layout with Anyrail with Bachmann HO EZtrack. I am trying to decide how to do a crossover between two  parallel tracks as to use 1 remote crossover #44575 and 1 remote crossover  #44576 or to use 2 #44559 and 2 #44560 remote turnouts. I am using analog DC with two separate controllers for the loops. I would like to know where to isolate the various rails for the two controller operation for both options at the crossovers or turnouts and what is the better option to be more lifelike than the other. Still learning. With the #6 crossovers I have the minimum distance between two tracks.

[Len]

The #6 crossovers require modification for use in a DC layout. They were designed for use in DCC layouts, with no simple provision to electrically isolate the two sides.

Len

[Hunt]

Caution – Some of the instructions, which can be found,  to modify the Bachmann #6 remote crossover turnout 447575 and 44576 for use in a DC power layout are not accurate.  Do not use any instructions that have you cutting any wires.  Also, it is easy for most to botch the modifications without illustrated instructions.

[Len]

 It would be nice if Bachmann included those illustrated instructions in the box with the crossovers. Or at least posted them in the "References" area of their web page. This comes up often enough it should have been done years ago.

Better yet, redesign it with jumpers that can be removed to create the appropriate gaps for use on DC layouts.

Len

[Penn1974]

Thanks for the info. I thought that the crossover was made for dc-so I will switch to the turnouts.

[guslcp]

The #6 crossovers require modification for use in a DC layout. They were designed for use in DCC layouts, with no simple provision to electrically isolate the two sides.

Len

I built my 12'x14' foot layout with two independent "loops" for continuous operations with the ability to cross from one to the other. This was in pre-DCC days.  When I changed to DCC I did not have to change any of the wiring.  I just disconnected the power pack (DC) and replaced it with a command station (DCC).
Electricity is electricity, regardless of the wave form.

Gus.

[Jerrys HO]

The #6 crossovers require modification for use in a DC layout. They were designed for use in DCC layouts, with no simple provision to electrically isolate the two sides.

Len

I built my 12'x14' foot layout with two independent "loops" for continuous operations with the ability to cross from one to the other. This was in pre-DCC days.  When I changed to DCC I did not have to change any of the wiring.  I just disconnected the power pack (DC) and replaced it with a command station (DCC).
Electricity is electricity, regardless of the wave form.

Gus.

Gus, Len is talking about the Bachmann DCC crossovers, very different to what you are thinking.

[Len]

Gus,

My comment was specifically in regard to this, and the 44576:



Without modification there is no way to electrically isolate the two sides of the crossover for use in DC layouts.

Len

[Hunt]

. . .
Electricity is electricity, regardless of the wave form.

Gus.

Gus that is fact. However,  what you are missing is the knowledge of how a Bachmann HO #6 Remote Crossover Turnout is wired. 

[MCENTRAL]

You can isolate anything with a rotory tool and a nice cut off wheel that can make some fine isolation cuts where ever you want.That is all part of model railroading.Modifications with your ideas.Good Idea to make your plans and be sure what you want to do before you change your mind ,and keep safety first .Practice on scrap rail until you feel comfortable,or have someone else do it for you that has expierance using this type of tool.
Pat.

[guslcp]

A rotary tool is fine, if you have a good, steady hand.  For cutting gaps in track that's already in place I use a very fine track-cutting saw.  It cuts a gap that's barely wider than the thickness of a sheet of clear acetate which I glue in place and file to conform to the track's profile.  You really have to look to notice it's there.

Gus

[Jerrys HO]

You can isolate anything with a rotory tool and a nice cut off wheel that can make some fine isolation cuts where ever you want.That is all part of model railroading.Modifications with your ideas.Good Idea to make your plans and be sure what you want to do before you change your mind ,and keep safety first .Practice on scrap rail until you feel comfortable,or have someone else do it for you that has expierance using this type of tool.
Pat.

As Hunt stated you don't realize how the Bachmann crossover is wired, it is already gapped

[MCENTRAL]

You can isolate anything with a rotory tool and a nice cut off wheel that can make some fine isolation cuts where ever you want.That is all part of model railroading.Modifications with your ideas.Good Idea to make your plans and be sure what you want to do before you change your mind ,and keep safety first .Practice on scrap rail until you feel comfortable,or have someone else do it for you that has expierance using this type of tool.
Pat.

As Hunt stated you don't realize how the Bachmann crossover is wired, it is already gapped

Now at the same time I am curious and confused obviously.Then the track isolated from each side,so how can they work only on DCC not on DC? Seems backwards from what I am used to .

[Len]

The real problem is with the connections under the roadbed, not the rails. And some of the instructions out on the net regarding this are flat out wrong.

Bachmann needs to step up and provide clear instructions, with pictures, on the right way to modify a #6 Crossover for use in a DC layout.

Len

[Joe Satnik]

Dear All,

As sold, the #6 HO E-Z Track Crossovers have no gaps in the rails between the 2 main lines.

A cut (and plastic and epoxy repair) to each of those two rails, and cuts to certain foils underneath are needed to

isolate the two main lines from each other. 

1.) Extra care and continuity checking (with an Ohm-meter, e.g.) are needed to assure that the rails that should be electrically

isolated/disconnected from each other after the cutting proceedure are, and

2.) Extra care and continuity checking are needed to assure that the rails that should be electrically

connected to each other after the cutting proceedure are.

Continuity Checklist here:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,8052.0.html

Unfortunately, David Harrison's website (with modification pictures) is no longer available.

Repeating what Len just said:

What we really need are good diagrams (drawings) of the proceedure, and good close up photos of the underside workings

of the crossover.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik