I appreciate all the help tommikawa.I am terrible at wiring this is why I have always used insulfrog turnouts.I did not think this through at all when I started.I love this layout and I really want it to work .In my previous reply to randy I explained to him that in my haste I already soldered the track I had hoped that by soldering the joints,that would supply the power and I'd be able to control the power with the turnouts.I really feel stupid.I guess I either need to dremel the gaps in or take everything apart and Start over.Thanks again for the help.Any other help would be appreciated.
Sitting here with the track plan in front of me:
From the top down, you need gaps in both rails of both crossovers. Feeders for the top track can go between the points of the two turnouts.
Second (longest) track, gap both rails between the frogs of the two center turnouts. Two sets of feeders, one to the left of the leftmost turnout's points, one to the right between the points of the rightmost turnout and the crossing.
This assumes that:
For greater dependability, a set of electrical contacts operating with whatever moves the points can connect the appropriate stock rail to the frog when the points are repositioned. (If I were building this as a stand-alone, the points would be moved by slide switches connected to the throwbars by re-bent paper clips.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL system)
Powered Frogs?
LION has double crossover which is 100% unpowered. Trains coast across it. Of course it helps to have 48 wheel pickup. I guess you cannot do that on a little switching layout.
Are there any REVERSING LOOPS or WYES on this layout? If knot then why knot power all of the tracks from the source. You can use switches to shut off tracks where you want to park a locomotive.
LIONS never rely on turnouts to move power from one side to the other.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Thank you Randy.My impatience Had taken over with a side of frustration and I already soldered the joints.So I guess I can dremel the gaps in or solder suck the layout and start over.I should have realized that I needed insulating joiners.I am a hell of a machinist but when it comes to electrical wiring I am lost.I really appreciate the help
Thank you,
Rich
Electrofrogs need gaps or insulatied joined in the two rails that divere from the frog, any time there is power applied from the frog side. Or to keep it simple, just do it for EVERY Electrofrog. ANy place on the layout that has a section of track with gaps at both ends will need a power feeder. That's the downside of Electrofrogs, but on a small switching layout where speeds are slow, having the powered frogs outweighs the negatives of more complex wiring.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you Mike.That link is where I got the idea to build this nightmare.I cant find anything on how to wire this.I was hoping to just hookup my transformer and go.The problem is that I have never used electrofrogs or crossings before.I think I might have bit off mofe than I can chew Ugh! Please if you have any info on wiring this or something similar please help.Thank you
Hi lion,
I am using DC.The ness st. Yard is a small switching layout.I am using electrofrog tunouts and crossings.This is the first time I have used crossings on a layout, so I am kind of a newb.I thought it would be fairly easy to wire since I have never had trouble with my other layouts.If you have any positive advice it would be much appreciated.
I think the Lion needs more info, but he's still busy untangling that wiring. Makes me feel a lot better about what's beneath my layout...
I believe the OP is talking about a switch puzzle layout, something like the infamous Timesaver. Anyway, here's another thread that show's what the OP is having trouble with, more properly referred to as "Shortliner Jack (Trollope)'s 'Ness Street Yard'":
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/182757.aspx
Page down to the 3rd, Steinjr's reply for the track plan.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
So, let me get this straight,,,
You think that A LION might help wour wiring issues?
Well, LION does not even know what a jack ness yard is. If DCC, LION cannot help ewe. If plain DC, then yes LION certainly can make your life more miserable with his wiring plans.
Does anybody have or can somebody help me figure out the wiring for the shortliner jacks ness street yard.please help