Crossing Electrical Hookup

[Anonymous]

Would like to know if 30-60-90 crossings can be used to cross two layouts that have different electrical sources. It is hard to tell on the bottom of the crossings whether the 4 sides are isolated from one another or hooked up to the opposite leg only or are all connected electrically. If isolated this would be an easy way to mix layouts without building bridges and trestles. Suggestions??

[Anonymous]

I do believe that most if not all "commercial made"crossings are isolated and reive power from the leg in which they come from. Best way to tell.......hook up some power to one side using aligator clips from a power sourse. Check the other leg with a test light, meter, or a smallelectrical moter that you may have salveged from a kids toy. (Radio shack has them for about 50 cents) See if the power goes to the other leg........But I don't think it does. Switch tracks now are a different story.

[Anonymous]

i think it depends on what brand you are using. example: atlas are multi-directional like their switches others are not. but the power test is a good idea. ALSO BE SHURE OF YOUR POLARITY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CROSSING. good luck!

[BR60103]

What scale of trains are you asking about? If it's Lionel 3-rail, I think all the tracks are connected. If it's 2-rail and there's lots of plastic where the rails cross, it probably is separate.
--David