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Dead Turnouts

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  • Member since
    August 2023
  • 4 posts
Dead Turnouts
Posted by saljoe5590 on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 5:27 PM

I just finished ballesting my layout and now my trains stall at the turnouts. I kept the ballest away from the frog and points. What do I do now.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:05 AM

Could be a multitude of things

  1. If you have "dead frog" turnouts and short wheelbase engines, it's possible your engines are losing power as they cross the frogs.
  2. Check to make sure your turnouts rails are clean especially if you're running smaller scales (N and smaller).
  3. Similar idea to #2 make sure your engine wheels are clean.
  4. Using a continuity tester, make sure that your getting power on said turnouts.

Other people might more ideas but those are what occur to me off the top of my head.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 5:33 AM

The ballasting glue might have gotten into the joiners and caused an insulation effect cutting off power.  Quick rough sanding of the top of the joiner and railsides there to allow solder to bond will to both the rail and joiner will fix that..  least amount of work there.  No removals.  Now if a different culprit is the problem, obviously a different solution is needed.   So a simple light bulb circuit tester is useful, here.  Help determine why and where the current stops.

 

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:53 PM

What type of turnouts?  Are they wired for DC or DCC?  Defer to others with more electrical knowledge to ask smarter questions.

  • Member since
    August 2023
  • 4 posts
Posted by saljoe5590 on Thursday, September 28, 2023 4:44 PM

Will try that.

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