Insulated rail question

[srguy]

I use O tubular and have an insulated section of track which powers a crossing gate off track power. This works well ....  I would like to run the trains in the opposite direction and would like to have the realistic action of the gate lowering before the train reaches the gate/ the insulated section. The issue is this .... there is an 022 just beyond the insulated section and gate so I want to add another insulated track on the other side of the 022 so the gate will drop in both directions before the train arrives My question is ... will having 2 insulated sections wired to the gate on either side of the 022 create an electrical issue when the train is contacting both insulated sections at the same time.

[nickaix]

If I understand you rightly, no. All you are doing by occupying both insulated sections at once is providing more paths for the current to reach the crossing gate.  One problem you might bump into: Since the turnout also incorporates insulated rail, too many insulated rails near a turnout might cause your train to lose ground connection--this happens when none of the engine wheels are touching a non-insulated rail; there is no return path for the current, and the engine stalls. This is a bigger problem with engines with traction tires (which have fewer grounded wheels to begin with). So test your configuration with different motive power before you install it permanently.

[ADCX Rob]

You can use as many insulated sections as you want.

If ground path issues come up around a 022 switch, just connect the center binding post of the 022 to the #2 clip of a nearby Lockon.

[srguy]

Thanks ... all good points which I hadn't considered. I'll play around with some different combinations to see which works best.