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Wiring a double crossover for DCC

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, September 9, 2013 8:46 AM

SMOKING TRAIN
Thanks Rich, yours is the best advise yet. My layout is all Code 100, except for turn-out runs.

Smoking Train, if you can provide a track diagram for your expanded layout, there may be some other suggestions that we can make.

Can you post a track diagram?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 28 posts
Posted by SMOKING TRAIN on Monday, September 9, 2013 8:41 AM
Thanks Rich, yours is the best advise yet. My layout is all Code 100, except for turn-out runs.
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, September 9, 2013 3:49 AM

zstripe

He didn't mention any track,he is using and don't have the DB crossover yet...He asked for suggestions..for one..He can use..Again need more info..

Cheers,

Frank

Yeah, I agree, Frank.

With all due respect to the OP, some people just don't know how to use the forums to their benefit.

Not enough info, failure to follow up, insufficient info when following up, etc.

Waddya gonna do?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, September 8, 2013 4:24 PM

He didn't mention any track,he is using and don't have the DB crossover yet...He asked for suggestions..for one..He can use..Again need more info..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 8, 2013 4:14 PM

SMOKING TRAIN
My layout is DCC and it is a parallel run. I don't know what brand of Double Crossover I will purchase. Do you have a suggestion. One reply said I needed a Insulfrog type.

If the tracks are parallel and there are no reversing sections that the double crossover will be part of, then the wiring is straight forward.  Just be sure to add feeder wires to all four ends of the double crossover.

The Walthers Shinohara double crossover is DCC Friendly and will do quite fine. I have two of them on my layout.

Are you using Code 83 track?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, September 8, 2013 4:03 PM

SMOKING TRAIN
My layout is DCC and it is a parallel run. I don't know what brand of Double Crossover I will purchase. Do you have a suggestion. One reply said I needed a Insulfrog type.

Since they are parallel tracks, both powered in the same direction, the point is moot, especially in DCC, but my DC layout pretends to be DCC as far as power to the tracks are concerned.

The crossing that I spoke of above is a special case, all of the other crossings are on parallel tracks, and I do not bother with gaps or other issues, it is all the same GROUND on the LEFT rail and POWER on the RIGHT rail.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Sunday, September 8, 2013 3:59 PM

Trainman Barrett

Keep all "A" Tracks A and "B" Tracks B.  Wire frogs with auto reverse or get insulfrogs so they don't need wiring.  I would think it's as simple as that?  I'd also wire the tortoises/throw motors in pairs so when 1 throws, the corresponding one throws too.

  Hope that helps.

TrainmanBarrett

No. On the route of the LION it is more complicated than that.

One track is eastbound, and the other track is westbound.  North of the crossover is a two track terminal, south of the crossover is the railroad. the track that goes out runs for 9 miles, yes, but then it is the same one coming back.

GROUND (-) is on the left or inside rails, and POWER (+) is on the right or outside rails.

The terminal tracks receive power from the mainline according to the alignment of the switches. Thus the crossing needs to be isolated and powered according to the route the train will take.

ACTUALLY, the LION cheated, him does not power the double crossover at all. 300' long subway trains with 48 wheel pickup are not all that fussy and so the entire crossing is unpowered.

WTH: LIRR has 600' power gaps in Penn Station.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, September 8, 2013 3:34 PM

Smoking Train,

PLEASE,,,read the thread,on Switch Wiring Problem's,in the Electronics and DCC,,,You will find your answers there,,,with diagrams,,,that is one reason,I revived the thread,,,,basically,for your benefit,also others,that have the same questions..There is a lot of conversation there,,,but the answers are there..

Cheers, Bang Head

Frank

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 28 posts
Posted by SMOKING TRAIN on Sunday, September 8, 2013 3:03 PM
My layout is DCC and it is a parallel run. I don't know what brand of Double Crossover I will purchase. Do you have a suggestion. One reply said I needed a Insulfrog type.
  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 5:20 AM

Anyway,,there is an in depth discussion,on this under,,Wiring Problem's,in the Forums..07,2013..

Cheers,

Frank Sad

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 5:09 AM

You should find this helpful..

cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/21927.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=2

Cheers,

Frank

Edit; I did something wrong again,link won't work

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 7, 2013 4:28 AM

What brand of double crossover is it?

Is your layout DC or DCC?

Tell us more about your track plan.  Is the double crossover part of a reversing section or are both tracks matching polarity?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 23 posts
Posted by Trainman Barrett on Friday, September 6, 2013 2:02 PM

Keep all "A" Tracks A and "B" Tracks B.  Wire frogs with auto reverse or get insulfrogs so they don't need wiring.  I would think it's as simple as that?  I'd also wire the tortoises/throw motors in pairs so when 1 throws, the corresponding one throws too.

  Hope that helps.

TrainmanBarrett

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 28 posts
Wiring a double crossover for DCC
Posted by SMOKING TRAIN on Friday, September 6, 2013 12:42 PM
I am enlarging my layout to include a Double Crossover and I need some help on how to wire it. Thanks in advance Terry

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