In the middle part of my double crossover a piece of rail is about a mm higher then the other rails. This little bump uncouples my cleaning car.. So i need to grind it a bit. I started looking around and apparently a dremel with Dremel #425 polishing wheel is the tool to use. Are there alternatives for a multitool? I should use the finest grit? Any thoughts / advice
First, I would check to make sure the rail just hasn't popped out of aligment...one mm is a lot, you might be able to gently push/press on it to pop it back down in place if that is that case. Second, I wouldn't use a dremel. If it happens to catch the rail wrong, it will yank it out and send it flying. Just use a hand file (nail file?) to file it down *gently* and only the minimal amount needed to solve the problem.
Agreed. IF you decide you need to file, do it by hand and only a little at a time rechecking till you are there. A dremel is way to risky. Trey
If I remember right, the rails are attached to the roadbed with screws. I'd check those, particularly if you're using the plate on the bottom to convert to non-routing power. Mark
The Dremel friction may also make enough heat to melt the plastic holding or part of the rail set, making it possibly loose or else. Get a magnifier, there has to be some obvious reason it is not setting correctly.
I agree with Jeff, something is wrong, they don't come this way. The heat will be an issue as he says, if you do use the dremel. Greg
Thinking about it a bit more, if you were to reduce the rail height by a mm (whatever method you choose) there wouldn't be any railhead left. Mark
one point of the rail came up. No idea why. I was able to get it back in place. I'll keep an eye on it the trains still run over it a bit *messy*.. perhaps that's the nature of a double crossover?!?
Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by a double crossover? In my mind a crossover is a set of switches from one parallel track to another, and a double crossover is 4 switches with a crossing in the center. Perhaps you are meaning a double slip switch? In that case, most clubs don't allow these on the mainline for reliability reasons... the Rokuhan is most likely better than the Marklin. Greg
Greg: You do know that the title of the thread "R078" refers to the Rokuhan double crossover, right? It's a product that looks very similar to the first photo you posted
Greg, It is actually and double crossover: I have spent some time exercising the double slip from Rokuhan and found it very reliable, suitable for mainline operation, but I jumped on the R078 because it's basically 4 turnouts and while I haven't thoroughly tested it yet, feel that it's going to be more reliable. As I recall, the Zocal folks were going to add 4 to their yard. I'd be interested in their opinions. Mark
Wow, have not seen that just did not scroll down the page on the Rokuhan site enough! What is the "curvature" of the turnouts? What's the difference between the 078 and the 082? Track spacing? Greg
Greg, It's a great addition. It's going to save 220mm on my layout. My only complaint so far is that manual operation requires moving two levers, creating the possibly for derailment. The R082 is concrete ties. Track spacing is 25mm and the turnouts are the same as the 110mm separate units. Power routing (or rather non-routing) is accomplished by attaching a PCB on the bottom which makes contact to the rails with small compression springs.
Do you have some kind of cleaning cars running on your track? My trains run better now but my jorgen cleaning car keeps uncoupling! :-/
I have a double crossover on my layout and it has been great. No issues with any of my locos or rolling stock. I have tested it at all speeds, forward and backward. No hiccups. I have an Aztek cleaning car and it works well with the setup. I also was happy to save 220mm and 4 turnouts by using this double crossover. So far I love it. Trey
No, I either use a lightly moistened paper towel with isopropyl alcohol and making sure no towel residue is left behind. (cheapest method) Other products available: TraxStix track polishing stick Viessmann 7840 track cleaning tool Peter Post 08104 telescoping metal tracking cleaning tool and liquid cleaner Ultra fine polishing paper strips (same as traxstix, but not in a file-type packaging)
I have used those finger nail foam board file to take any height off my rails. They are flexible enough to put on pressure but not do any damage! I have used these even where 2 track piece connects together. I find them great to use!
I only can take him slowly and even then after a few laps i get a derailment. When i use a track cleaning car it is planning for disaster.. Luckily I'm stil at the planning stage. Anyway I have to fix it!
