Electrofrog cross vs. insulfrog cross

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m currently planning an N scale layout where I have several areas where parralell mainline tracks both branch off together (to go to another level). I am using #4 and #6 Atlas turnouts for these and, unfortunately, For the #6’s, I need a 9.5* crossing. One software program lists JHB as having a 9*, but I’ve neber heard of that company and have no idea where to purchase any. A web search turned up nothing…Also, I have seen peco has a 10* crossing in insulfrog and electrofrog. I am planning for this to be a DCC layout, so any suggestions as to whether to use the insulfrog or electrofrog if I end up using the PECO 10*? I understand the principle of Electrofrog vs. insulfrog, but never knew it was applicable to crossings as well as turnouts…

Looking for ideas, comments, suggestions!

Thanks in advance,
John Lardino

2

I didn’t realize that they made electrofrog crossings. Now I do.
check on http://www.loystoys.com/peco-about-crossings.html for wiring suggestions. It appears that you have to feed the acute angle frogs and this will change depending on which track you run the train on. The expensive solution appears to be an automatic reverser.If your switch machines have extra contacts, you could wire through these (won’t work if you use the machines that are moulded into the switch). Without the extra feed, an electrofrog is like an insulfrog, but possibly with a longer dead section.
Choice of electro vs insul depends on whether you run short wheelbase locos through them.
Loys Toys site has a lot of helpful wiring information for DCC.

3

Thanks, David!

Your Friend,
John[:)]

4

I’m currently planning an N scale layout where I have several areas where parralell mainline tracks both branch off together (to go to another level). I am using #4 and #6 Atlas turnouts for these and, unfortunately, For the #6’s, I need a 9.5* crossing. One software program lists JHB as having a 9*, but I’ve neber heard of that company and have no idea where to purchase any. A web search turned up nothing…Also, I have seen peco has a 10* crossing in insulfrog and electrofrog. I am planning for this to be a DCC layout, so any suggestions as to whether to use the insulfrog or electrofrog if I end up using the PECO 10*? I understand the principle of Electrofrog vs. insulfrog, but never knew it was applicable to crossings as well as turnouts…

Looking for ideas, comments, suggestions!

Thanks in advance,
John Lardino

5

I didn’t realize that they made electrofrog crossings. Now I do.
check on http://www.loystoys.com/peco-about-crossings.html for wiring suggestions. It appears that you have to feed the acute angle frogs and this will change depending on which track you run the train on. The expensive solution appears to be an automatic reverser.If your switch machines have extra contacts, you could wire through these (won’t work if you use the machines that are moulded into the switch). Without the extra feed, an electrofrog is like an insulfrog, but possibly with a longer dead section.
Choice of electro vs insul depends on whether you run short wheelbase locos through them.
Loys Toys site has a lot of helpful wiring information for DCC.

6

Thanks, David!

Your Friend,
John[:)]

7

This is a dead link. The root webpage is basically an ad for an outdated e-book on the Digitrax Zephyr. No links to information or suggestions.

8

Not a surprise, since it is a thread from 2003.

In the intervening decade, the invention of the Frog Juicer makes powering an electrofrog crossing very easy.

9

Ten years and one month. LOL

This may be a new record for thread revival. [bow]

Didn’t Loy retire in 2007?

Rich