I recently got back into trains after re-discovering a cache of LGB engines, cars, and track from when I was a child. First and foremost, I want to say that I haven’t been up until 4:30am voluntarily working on something in a LONG time! I started with a basic loop but expanded it into a 3-engine layout with (one track) insulated sections with two off-shoots from the mainline, one of which split into two again.
So here’s my question - it relates to the insulated track sections. When I have two trains in the insulated, and off, sections, and another running, all seems fine. However, if I flip the switch for the one “on” section to off, and let the train slide into it’s docking area, occasionally the other two get a little power and hiccup forward. I don’t like this for three reasons. First, it’s a little obnoxious, seeing the other engines lurch forward a bit. Second, if they’re close enough to the powered mainline, they’ll hop onto the powered section and take off unintentially. This has caused more than one collision. Third, it’s just plain not how it’s supposed to work!
How are these trains receiving power when one side of the track is insulated and switched off? I’ve run tests to try and identify the source of the problem, even removing the leads going to the Atlas Selector switch, and it still occurs. That seemed to rule out the switch.
Here is an image of the track (the relevant section, anyway):
Sir. Let me preface by stating that I have ZERO experience with LGB or their control systems. However, is it possible that as your train is moving to it’s resting position the wheels of the train temporarily bridge the insulated gap betewwn ‘on’ and ‘off’ sections giving a short jump of power to the ‘off’ section? (This would only be possible with metal wheels.)
Just a shot in the dark. Have a peacefull festive season.
Dwayne A
I think Dwayne A is onto something there with his answer – the operating locomoitve’s wheels bridging the insulated track joint is allowing power to pass through to the “dead” track, thus causing the insulated track to get power for a short period of time.
When creating a section of track that you want to turn off so engines can be parked on it, insulate both rails and cut power to both through a DPDT (double pole, double throw) toggle switch.
On some of the early models, power was picked up from the front truck or steam locomotive wheels on only one side, and the rear truck or tender picked up from the other rail. If you insulated only one rail, the wheels that pick up from that side are bridging the gap and supplying power to the track that you think has been cut off.
Insulating both rails and turning them both off with the toggle switch should solve this problem.
With only one rail insulated, when the wheels pass over the gap the circuit is completed and the ‘dead’ track comes alive, even if it has been cut off with a switch. With both rails insulated, no circuit is completed and the track remains dead.
Most of my reason for only isolating one rail was wanting a 3-track yard, and only having 7 insulating connectors
I’m still a little uncertain how this would happen when the train in section A, which is depowered, and definitely not running when the other train pulls into B, also depowered, off the powered mainline, would transfer power from one rail to another, but I’m completely new to this stuff so I appreciate the help.
I’ll head over to my hobby shop and get some more parts. Thanks for the help!
