Hi, I’m trying to wire two Lionel 022 switches together (6-14063 and a 6-23010) for a yard setup. I am currently reading a few wiring books, including the one written by Peter H. Riddle. These books suggest placing the insulating pins in the center rails of each switch. Should I do this? I’m also planning on wiring each switch individually which would require breaking the current by isolating the middle rail. Would this burn the switch coils out? How should I go about wiring each switch individually? Thanks.
Hi!
Welcome to the Forum! However, while you are "in the right church, you are in the wrong pew". The folks on the Model Railroader forum deal with scale trains - mostly HO and N. I suggest you repost your question under the Classic Toy Trains section - where all the Lionel and Flyer buffs hang out.
I'm almost qualified to answer your question (I collect postwar Lionel), but not certain enough to do so. Therefore, I look forward to the answers you get!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
It is very difficult to burn out an 022 turnout, no matter how you wire (or miswire) it.
Riddle's books explain that, "As a band director, composer and specialist in music curriculum and instruction, [he] has attempted to apply...the principles pf pedagogy developed for the teaching of music to beginners." Unfortunately, his grasp of electricity is very weak.
I think you'll have to be clearer about what you expect these turnouts to do. Are you okay with powering the switch machines from the track voltage or do you want them powerec all the time? Why would you want to insulate the center rails? What do you mean by "wiring each switch individually"?
Bob Nelson
Yeah, I heard about Mr. Riddle’s real talent a while back. The reason for me wanting to insulate the middle rail is that I’m creating a block right after the turnout. Since the middle rail no longer has a direct electrical feed from the track, I need to wire the switch to compensate for such reasons. What I’ve done now is I’ve insulated the middle rail and the rails for the non-derailing feature to function properly. This creates a working block, but I need a more professional way of powering the switch without current coming from the track. I'm running a fixed voltage through the each section of track so that there's equal distribution.
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