What should my pin configuration be???

[Anonymous]

I have two Lionel 022 switches forming a crossover with the curved sections from one loop to another. The switches are powered from a separate pole on my PW ZW via the fixed voltage plugs. The the inner loop is powered by the A pole and the outer loop is powered by the D pole of the ZW. What should the pin configuration be between the two switches? I assume insulated in the center to separate the A and D, what about the outside rail that doesn't normally have the fiber pin in it?

Thanks again.

[lionelsoni]

The outside rails should be connected together and to the U terminal of the transformer. However, if your switches are connected directly together, the anti-derailing insulating pins are probably on opposite sides of the track, so that there are insulating pins in all three rails where the switches meet. If this is the case, you have to supply a separate connection between U and the outside rails for each loop.

If there is any intervening tubular track between the switches, that will also solve the problem. The uninsulated rail on one switch will be connected to the uninsulated pin on the other switch through the metal ties.

[Anonymous]

Thanks lionelsoni. On one crossover I have (the one where the curved sections of both switches form the cross over) I put insulating pins in all 3 rails and grounded each loop separately. In the other (straight section of one switch to curved section of another) there is a short piece of tubular between them and the middle and proper outside rails are insulated. Sounds like I might have actually done it right which shows I am trainable!