Demons and Dragons and Track Problems

[Fred Bear]

I write in with some of the dumbest questions. Here is yet another one.
Before putting new bed down on all four tracks of my layout, I had a deal where a train would come into a double switch, that was wired so each time it approched, the switch would flip, and run the train on to a second loop, then as it came back, it would trip again, and go back to the first loop, and over and over. It worked flawlessly. Now that I've put everything back, it does not work.. When I add track power, the switches do that seizure thing, and I can't seem to make it work. If I take the switches out of the track, and trip them by touching the outside rails, they work just fine. I did add a small incline, and blocked out a section of that track so I could add some additional voltage to it to make the climb ( thanks for the tip on the bike inner tube home made traction wheels, it worked like a charm), but should that matter? Also I've noticed now that I have to add a ground wire to the switch to make it work, and somehow before, I didn't have to do that. Going to go back to scratch and see what I've done wrong. If anyone can see the obvious, please let me know. I thought I was beyond being stumped by track & voltage problems, boy am I wrong!!!!! Thanks to anyone that can help, Jake

[pbjwilson]

Jake,
Check the grounded rails of the blocked out section and the insulated pins. Thats about all I can think of. Good luck.

[Fred Bear]

I have the whole section blocked out, with three insulating pins on each section of the blocked out track. I have to think it has something to do with that. I'm going to tie into that today and see what I can figure with the whole mess. Thanks, Jake

[Roger Bielen]

Use a continuity tester to check that the outside rails are isolated from each other.

[dwiemer]

could be that your "traction tires", are not allowing for the completion of the circuit. Also, chek your voltage to the switch.
dennis

PS; if the logic that stupid questions get stupid answers, then you may have just insulted us......just kidding,we all need to learn and who knows how many will read this thread and learn, so keep asking.

[Fred Bear]

Well, I remedied the problem. The switches came out and I built an over pass directing the outside to the inside so I get a switch over on loops each pass. I know it was the cheap way out, but a person only has so many hours, and...the over pass looks pretty neat. Jake