Please Help Hello, I am new to railway modelling, and I am wondering what type of frog points to use. It is a 2m long end to end layout, and I will be primarily running a 0-6-0 loco. What are the best points to use, and why? Also, I have heard that if I were to use electrofrog points, I have to put in 'rail breaks' What are these, and how do I do these? Any response appreciated! Thanks james
James, I would recommend you use insulfrog peco points as they do not require insulated joints "rail breaks".
No it should be ok I use insulfrogs and never have a problem although I run diesels. By the way welcome to Trainboard.
Thanks! Can you also operate points without using motors? I was also wondering if cork or the preballasted underlay is the best. This is my first layout and I am poor!
Moved the thread to The Inspection Pit for greater exposure James, Welcome to TrainBoard. As to your question, Peco use an over centre spring arrangement to keep the swicth blade hard against the rail so you can easily flip these types from side to side by hand. Peco's insulfrog version requires little additional isolation but the Electrofrog version would be better for your 0-6-0 loco to cross as there is a smaller dead section at the frog. As for laying the track, cork would be the less expensive option. You can buy this in sheets and cut to your requirements. Pre-cut is more expensive. Hope this helps - I am certain others will be along to add to this .
Depending on the complexity of your layout design, you may get away with only a few electrical breaks. Then the easiest route is to use insulated joiners made for the purpose. These are plastic versions of the metal track joiners. You simply place them between the point or piece of track and the next piece of track where applicable. If you have something in mind layout-wise, please feel free to post it to the layout discussion forum. There are plenty of friendly folk who will be willing to assist you in designing the electrical side of your plan. We are glad to help you.
I was wondering the same thing about scale? What exact loco are you using. If it is a small switching layout there really is no need to use any sort of trackbed aside from the layout surface itself. If you are creative, you can screen material with an old panty hose or mesh screen to get free ballast. There is so much stuff a person can use for free when building a layout.
Im in OO gauge The plan for the layout is a 3 track end to end, but each with return wiring to complete the circuit. Within that I have got 2 crossovers (2 points) from one track to the next, and then the 3rd is a siding with a furthur 2 kick back sidings. The entire baseboard is 3ft by 8ft, im rather stuck for space. Its a fictional place called Jackfield Lock, encorporating a canal, and its based on the GWR Line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster in shropshire. Thanks
Thanks Ken Hello James, as you are in OO, I guess you are located in the UK? A J39 should run well on either insulfrog or electrofrog points, although my preference is definitely for electrofrog, especially for a slow running layout. If you have a trackplan in mind, and can post it here we can illustrate exactly where insulators would be required.
That is a really neat loco you have there. Are the wheels on the tender live? If they are, even at slow speeds, she should crawl pretty good. Eric
