Lockons

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Looking for help as to what is a rule of thumb for lockons.

Thanks.

2

I believe you are refering to the electrical connection of the power pack to the track. In DC application you would like to have your trains running in the direction indicated by the direction switch on the power pack when the train is immediately in front of you. In DC power, this would be referred to as polarity of power. If this isn’t happening you should remove the lockon and place it on the opposite side of the track to produce the correct operating direction. You can also reverse the polarity by swapping the wires as they connect to the lockon or on the power pack.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

3

Thanks, Ken.

How many of them do you need?

And do you need one on both parts of the “Y” of a switch.

I have been adding track to a new MTH PRR Steam starter set and I want to make sure I have it right before the five year old sees Daddy’s and his “dud.” I don’t want that to happen.

Thanks, again.

4

Adding lockons around the J&J layout will improve operation because conductivity between the rail sections may be faulty at times. Just be sure your polarity is correct with each one you connect. Its a matter of discretion on how many lockouts you add to the track plan. One per track section would obviously be an overkill. If you continue to have power problems in a certain section, I would consider adding one there or trouble shoot and clean the sections track joiners. As far as turnouts, I’m not familiar with the MTH turnouts power routing ability. If you locomotive doesn’t run on a siding, it will be necessary to add a lockon. The lockon can be wired directly from the power pack or from another lockout that is nearby.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

5

Thanks!