track crossover problem

[Boonter]

In a new track plan I have two 45 degree  Lionel crossovers.  Almost all of my engines stop when they are in the center of them.  Occasionally at very high speed one will continue to move on.

All of the track sections are  Lionel 0-31 and all are new, tight and fully seated.  Engines will move normally on both sides of the crossings.  At normal, safe track speed none of my engines will cross and continue.

What am I doing wrong?  What should I look for?  A there any fixes for this?

Thanks for all ideas and comments.

[rtraincollector]

Do you have a engine that has a pick-up on both trucks if so see if that engine will go across it as it sounds to me for some reason your not getting power between the pick-up rollers if its an engine with just one set of pick-ups on one truck. also check and see with power on how a lighted caboose or passenger car does crossing them.

[Michael6268]

ditto the previous response.  sounds like you have a bad pick up roller or dirty roller.  With crossovers and switches there is always a break in the rail to allow the opposing train/rail to intersect.  If one of the rollers isn't making contact, it will stall on the crossover.  You need both rollers picking up current so when the first one hits the dead spot of the crossover or switch, the other roller will still be in contact with solid rail and will keep the power flowing. 

[bigdogjeff]

I would take a meter and check to see if the center rail is getting full 20 to 22 volts all the way through the crossover then run trains very slow over the crossover and see where it stops then tilt engine at that point and see pickups are working.

[rtraincollector]

Now I don't know how many engines he has 3 or 23 but he said almost all of his engines do this not all so I was ruling out the pick-up as couldn't see almost all his engines having a bad pick-up. and he hasn't responded back so wondering if he ever figured it out or what.

[Boonter]

Thanks for the responses.  So far I have one engine that seems to work MUCH of the time.  It has two rollers and is the heaviest engine I have.  I will be checking all engines and s

clean up as well as I can this week.  I will then report my findings in detail.  Again, thanks ....

[Curmudgeon]

Checking the centre rail for full voltage is a start...but actually pointless if the issue is flexing and breaking contact or high resistance connection in the track, which only shows up under load.

You say you have two 45 degree crossings. I think I read this is new track. That can be an issue right there.

Improper crimping of the rails to the bonds.....anything.

I personally would do what I used to do on my original tubular crossings and switches.

Solder all connections underneath. Check all jumpers and feeders.

That said, your crossings should be open on the bottom.

You could solder a test lead to the center rail near the actual diamond, run it out to a temporary lockon and feed power into the centre rail between the two crossings.

Then you'd know for sure.

TOC