Crossover options

[Len]

What's really needed is for Bachmann to redo the crossovers with gaps in the rails and jumpers underneath that can be removed for DC operation. Short of that, the instructions for the modification need to be posted.

Bachmann missed a bet making the crossovers "DCC Only".

At the LHS my repair shop was located in they stopped carrying them. The reason was 3 out of every 4 sold would be returned because, "They don't let me run trains on two loops at the same time on my DC layout." Or some variation of that.

While it's true DCC is growing, most people begin with a DC powered starter set. And they, looking to expand to a double loop, are the ones who were buying the #6 crossovers. Only to be disappointed with the results.

If they had been designed from the outset for use with DC, as well as DCC, layouts, sales of #6 crossovers would be way higher than it is.

Len

[Joe Satnik]

Len,

I just thought of something...

Perhaps the crossover rails don't need to be cut.

Think about it.

When running through the two mains, no train travels on the route between, therefore the voltages on the crossover rails don't matter. 

If a train crosses over, the rails on both sides of each insulated cut have to be at (externally switched to) the same voltage !

A solid rail has the same voltage all along itself...

So that just leaves cuts underneath to the foils.

The only drawback would be if a derailed main line car dragged its wheels across the top of the frog and

shorted the main and divergent frog rails together. 

Think about it...

Joe Satnik

[MCENTRAL]

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

Thank you Joe,I Thought I was correct in regards to the gaps or no gaps between the main lines .Have been using B-mann products for years and ran a store for 10 years before the economy collapsed in MI.Seems there are a few here that should take note learn there products they sell.I do like to help others ,and it seems I was correct after all,but l was not 100%,but was looking to clarify this here also.Thought old age was catching up.Thanks again Pat

[Len]

Joe,

It's not crossing over that requires the rail gaps. If you are running two trains, one on the inner and one on the outter loop, you need to gap the crossover rails to prevent shorts if they are running in opposite directions. Which means opposite polarities on the tracks.

Even if the foils underneath are gapped, if the rails aren't you still get a short when the loops are set to opposite directions.

Len

[Joe Satnik]

Since our image is vertical, I shall call out the "Left" and "Right" mainlines.

If

1.) the frogs are isolated from the frog rails, and

2.) there is not a derailed wheel touching and shorting the frog rails together, and

3.) the left and right mainlines are electrically separated (have their foils cut), and

4.) both turnouts are set to main line running,

The voltage on the crossing rails will not matter, even if the trains on the mainlines are running in opposite direction.



With the proper underside foils cut (but the crossing rails not cut):

Left straight stock rail
Left divergent point
Left curved (divergent) closure rail      are all connected  to the Left power supply +

Left curved stock rail
Left mainline point
Left mainline closure rail
Left mainline frog rail          are all connected to the Left power supply -

Right curved stock rail
Right mainline point
Right mainline closure rail
Right mainline frog rail          are all connected to the Right power supply +

right straight stock rail
right divergent point
right curved closure rail      are all connected  to the Right power supply -

With no rail cuts, the divergent frog rail is the same as the opposite side's curved stock rail.

For crossover action, tie both mainlines to only one power supply

through external electrical switches, while keeping the same polarity as above.

I 'm pretty sure not cutting the crossover rails works, you just have to avoid shorting the frog rails

(one of which is the curved stock rail from the other mainline) with a derailed wheel. 

If the power supplies are truly floating, then the short shouldn't matter at all.

Hope this isn't too confusing.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik