I added a siding to my layout that crosses my two mainlines by means of Atlas 30 Degree crossings with Code 83 track. Now, my DC locos experience a jerky motion over those crossings whether on the mains or on the siding. There are no stalls at normal speeds, but I’m afraid a slow moving loco just might stall out. What happened? What can I do to eliminate or minimize this (such as re-wiring the loco, running feeders, etc.)?
I would run feeders due to the Crossing is isolated on top
What make and model of locomotives are hesitating on the crossover? Code 83 rail may not be suitable for older locomotives with wheel flanges that are larger than called for under the NMRA RP-25 standard. The problem may be related to the wheel flanges causing the wheels to be lifted off of the rail, thus losing electrical contact. You may need to use code 100 rail to avoid this problem. Another alternative is to change the crossover to a Peco, which has deeper flangeways and less insulating plastic.
CnW,
Although I use Atlas Code 83 sectional track on my layout, I use Walthers/Shinohara crossings. I found that the Atlas crossing caused all my locomotives to “rumble” over them, as well as my short based switchers to hesitate.
Even after paring down the top of the plastic insulators to make them more flat, it didn’t improve the operation any and I eventually switched out the Atlas crossings for the Walthers/Shinoharas. The WS crossings are much quieter than the Atlas ones and I’ve had very little hesitation problems.
Hope that helps…
Tom
I run a Bachmann GP40 and Bachmann 2-6-2. Both are about 3 years old. The GP40 hesitates and the 2-6-2 will actually stall at slow speeds. Is the Peco about the same size as Atlas where it will be an easy swap with little or no adjustments to my current step up? THANKS!