Okay, although I have been a member of this forum for a very short time, I am aware of what you all think of the Bachmann EZ Track. So please don't go on & on about the quality, pit falls & terrors of this track. Before I joined the TB Forum, I had bought a large amount of it, so I am commited to using it. It has been many, many, many moons since I have attempted to build an N scale layout, so at this time I am probably considered a Noo-Bee, again. (I hate gettin' old.) Much like the poster before me, I would like just a little refresher on this subject. I have a couple of crossovers, 1 left & 1 right. The track is DC, no DDC or anything. While I was out in the garage the other night begining to "test fit" my track to the layout, I hooked some power, ran a locomotive down the rails on Track 1 to see how the crossovers worked. (I never had used a crossover before?) But when I switched it to crossover to Track 2, the train continued over onto Track 2, and kept going! That kind of surprised me? I thought once it made the transistion to Track 2, it would stop. Soooo, I ran the train backwards down Track 2 over the other crossover, and it was still being powered by the power pack on Track 1. (There is only one power pack hooked up, TOTAL!) That's when it dawned on me that all 4 ends of this track are live. (Not the brightest bulb in the box, I know.) Maybe it's been way too long since I have used remote turnouts? This should be basic wiring, right? So, do I need to "ISOLATE" all 4 track ends, and power them up with their own wiring? If my memory serves me correctly, I believe that called it block wiring this crossover? Or did I miss something here? Sorry to seem so brain dead, but its bee a long time since I have done anything like this, and I am stumped as to how this is happening? HELP! Thanx... Tred, Kansas City, KS
Tred, the short answer is that you will have to add isolation points to your layout or switch to DCC. I think if you could swing it that the DCC option would be better although that does me installing dcoders or purchasing locomotives with DCC on board.
Thanks brokenpole, I appreciate the comeback. It's been a long time since I've worked on basic things with model trains. I guess I need to clear the cob-webs? That or pick up a book. As far as switching to DCC, it is not going to happen at this time. Maybe on the next layout? (There will be more, ya know?) At least my wife likes the idea of building another layout. I think she was frustrated with my playing guitars. I have 7, and just play for the fun of it, sometimes with friends. Everytime I mention that I may pick up another guitar, she asks "How many can you play at one time?" LOL But she endures... I guess, in turnning my attention to N scale, she can (atleast) participate. She does like to watch them run! And she'll volunteered to paint scenery. A good woman! Thanks again. Tred, Kansas City, KS
Tred, A longer answer is that you may only need isolators if you set up block controls or a reversing loop. In order to answer the question for your particular layout, we would need to see the track plan and know if you are going to setup block controls, how many cabs / locomotives do you plan to run at the same time?
Thanx Paul, for your reply. While I was out playing in the freezing cold Saturday, I got to looking at one of the "frogs", noticing that the rail-joiner was NOT attached to the inside crossover rail. So, out came the #00 Phillip's screwdriver, and I began to take it apart. (I didn't have any power/dead track issues before hand.) After putting every thing back together everything worked fine. I sat and thought about the isolation rail joiners. And in doing the isolation thing, it would also give me the availability of being able to run Track 2 in a different direction, as well Track 1. The more I looked at it, the more it made sense. (BTW-I am using 2 different power packs - 1 MRC and one old Bachmann.) At this point in time, I am operating under the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle. As simple as I can, while still being fun. AS I slowly emerge myself back into this hobby, I am going very slowly. It has been almost 20 years since I was trying to build my last layout. I gave up, and put eveything back in a box. At the time, it was FRUSTRATION due to not having the time, or room to build what I started to. Making compromises isn't my strong suit. I haven't even thought about my trains until my wife urged me to dig them out, back in December. I want to make sure I don't quit, again. So, I am doing this in stages. Small at first, then after I know my parameters, I'll build another, a better one. Again, thanx for your reply! Tred, Kansas City, KS
