Turnout Problems

djrs Jun 14, 2011

  1. djrs

    djrs New Member

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    This is my very first post this year. Well, actually, it's my very first post ever, so pls be kind to me. I am stumped and slightly &&#@@#!! frustrated over my inability to wire my layout correctly. I've attached my track plan showing existing tracks, double crossover, and turnouts. I have tried lots of combinations, read suggestions/directions on Trainboard. How do I wire this $%$%#@#!! layout, or should I give up and go back to just playing Angry Birds? Thanks for any help.
     

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  2. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Welcome to Trainboard (actively posting). You don't say whether you are using DC or DCC, nor whether those are #4 or #6 turnouts. But, the easiest solution is to add feeders between the double crossovers and the crossovers between tracks 2 & 3. The Kato double crossover does not bring power to all four legs through the crossover, and #6 turnouts are "power routing", so the legs between them may or may not be powered, depending on position of the turnouts. If they are #4s, there are screws on the back which can force all legs to powered all the time.

    I would also put a feeder between the two turnouts on track 3. You may also want to put additional feeders on the three tracks around the rest of the layout, particularly for DCC running.
     
  3. temp

    temp TrainBoard Member

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    A couple of questions:

    Are the turnouts #4 or #6?

    When transitioning from 2 to 3 on say the pair of RH turnouts, are both RH turns set?
     
  4. temp

    temp TrainBoard Member

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    For long term use with DCC the feeders are a good plan to ensure a good connection instead of relying on power routing to supply it (which is basically a wiper inside the turnout). Except for the space immediately between the turnouts and the doublecrossover (it's not clear if they meet or if there is enough space for a loco) everything else should, in theory, have power for any turnout configuration.
     
  5. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    The rails along the inner trapezoid between tracks 2 & 3 can all be unpowered (albeit at different times), depending on switch setting.
     

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