Thanks for the advice about Atlas #12 book "The complete Atlas Wiring Book".  Right now I am using an Atlas book that I purchased back in the early 70's when I was building a layout for my 7 year old son.  It has layout designs as well as wiring instructions.  Some things never change.  Now I'm 74 and back into layouts. 

Hallelujah!  Success at last.  After some serious clipping and reconnecting of those pesky copper strips I finally came up with the right combination that allows for separate power supplies on each of the two ovals and successful crossover from one to the other.  Many  thanks to all the good folks who offered advise and encouragement, especially to Joe Stanik for putting me on to David Harrison's web site that described the process.  And thanks Joe for your latest suggestion to use Atlas Selector switches.  I had planned to purchase individual toggle switches and make up my own panel, but on Tuesday, while looking for toggle switches at a local hobby shop I saw the Atlas switches and bought both a #215 Selector switch and a #220 Controller for my turn around loop.  Why reinvent the wheel when these are already made for the job.  I had enough trouble modifying the crossovers I don't need to go through more hassle with wiring my own switches.  I must admit, however, that I did learn a lot in my efforts and have really been encouraged by all the helpful folks in the forum.  Remember, we can do anything if we stick to it, the impossible just takes a little longer.

I will probably be back with more questions and problems in the future.

Thanks again,

regnew

regnew

Great hind sight.  The crossovers looked like a clear deal.  Now that I have them I am trying to make them work.

Jerry,
I have both a 44575 and 44576 crossover without decoders for use on a DC only setup. I have experimented by severing both ends of each strip on one of the crossovers.  That has solved the problem of continuity across corresponding parallel tracks.  However, now I have to try to figure out which gap to bridge to allow an engine to successfully make the transition from one oval to the other.  Never a dull moment.  Any thoughts?
regnew

David

i am another new comer trying to modify Bachmann #6 crossovers for DC use with two concentric ovals and two power packs.  I have followed your instructions on your website making each cut in the same location for each copper strip but after severing each of the four copper strips disconnecting the outermost parallel rail there is still connectivity between corresponding rails.  There is even continuity across the gaps in each crossover rail.  What did I do wrong?  I can reconnect any cut made using a small piece of wire and solder so that I can make any corrections as necessary.  Thanks for any other advice you may have to offer.

regnew

Jerry,

Never mind.  I found it.  Thanks

regnew

Sorry to be a pest, but how do I find the email address for hunter2115?

Thanks,

regnew

I read the instructions from David Harrison very carefully and did not cut any wires but severed each of the four copper strips to disconnect the parallel rail as shown in the diagram.  At least I think I made the cut right place on each strip.  Could you further clarify which end of each strip should be severed.

Thanks,

regnew

Dear Joe,
i have followed very carefully the  instructions on modification of Bachmann crossovers for use on a DC application using two power supplies on two connected ovals which were given on David Harrisons's website you recommended.  However, I am still getting continuity using an ohm meter between the matching rails of each oval. The problem seems to be outside each frog for each pair of corresponding rails.  Also, there is still continuity on each pair of rails in the crossover on each side of the cuts in the rails.  I am at a loss as how to proceed.  I have too much invested in the crossovers to scrap them and use #5 turnouts instead.  Any thoughts or suggestions will be very much appreciated \.

Thanks,

John

Thanks for all the responses to my original inquiry.  The last reply from Joe Satnik with a link to another website covers the situation as well as any. http://web.mac.com/msibnsf/iWeb/Acela%20Express,%20The%20Need%20For%20Speed/Modeling%20Techniques.html

Just one point needs clarification.  I am not sure which wire should be disconnected.  Is it one of each pair or all four?

Instead of cutting the rails, why not snip or un-solder the red wires underneath the crossover?  I think these are there to transfer current from one side to the other.  If not, what is their purpose?  Thanks.

Cutting the rails of the crossover seems a little like brute force. 

I have two ovals connected using two Bachman crossovers.  I want to separate
the two and use two separate power supplies, one for each oval.  How can I
disconnect the transfer of current between the two ovals?  Can I simply snip
the red wires in the crossovers? If so, how many should be snipped?  There
are two pairs in each crossover.  Thanks for any info you can provide.  I am
very new as this but have a fair understanding of basic circuits.  This is a
DC only setup using Bachman Easy-Trac.