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Crossing Help

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  • Member since
    April 2010
  • 225 posts
Crossing Help
Posted by fender777 on Friday, May 5, 2017 11:14 AM

I have never used those X shape crossings on a layout before. But I have a place where one could work well, It seems a 19degree crossing would work. Are they a problem to use. Will they derail cars more or cause Engine stutter or stopping. I use Digital. Thanks for any info.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Fruita, CO
  • 541 posts
Posted by slammin on Friday, May 5, 2017 11:24 AM

I have two Shinohara/Walthers code 83 crossings, a 90 degree and a 30 degree on my switching layout and they work fine. I run DCC. You will notice, unlike turnouts, you won't find any marked "DCC friendly". It doesn't matter.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Friday, May 5, 2017 11:28 AM

I made a Code 83 double crossover turnout using an Atlas 572 19° Crossover and I’ve never had a derail or power problem in it’s many years of service.
 
I cut up the turnouts and the crossover to fit my application, it works without any problems for me so a standard non hacked up 19° crossover will work for anyone.
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, May 5, 2017 4:23 PM

I had a 30-degree Atlas crossing that was shorting out.  I decided the crossing itself was defective.  I replaced it with a Walthers and it's been fine ever since.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, May 5, 2017 4:43 PM

Which brand are you considering?

Crossings work fine, but it really helps to add feeders to all four ends of these type of specialty track. Momentary shorts can occur where the rails converge, especially on the Peco crossings. Derailments should not be a problem, although I have experienced occasional problems where the wheels follow an unintended route over the crossing.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • 225 posts
Posted by fender777 on Saturday, May 6, 2017 6:31 AM
Thanks guys for all your help.
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: SW Wisconsin
  • 162 posts
Posted by 60YOKID on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 10:13 PM

MisterBeasley

I had a 30-degree Atlas crossing that was shorting out.  I decided the crossing itself was defective.  I replaced it with a Walthers and it's been fine ever since.

 

I had a similar experience with two Atlas code 100 crossovers. I fixed the short circuit issue with small strips of masking tape. A black marker made the tape pretty much un-noticeable. The tape lasted over 6 years!

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