Sorry still a newbie here and think I’m using the right term “insulated frog”. I have some 24" radius, Atlas #8 turnouts on my new layout. I also have some really old locos (35-40 years) that I’ve refurbished and got running.
My problem is these older locos stall when running over these turnouts, assuming its b/c the frog is plastic/insulated and the loco picks up all power from one set of wheels. When this one set of wheels runs over it stalls.
Is there a fix or mod that will allow me to run these older locos smoothly?
Hi there. For DC, having flywheels connected to the motor will help. The best method would be to add additional power pickups on your wheels. You might want to give use more info on your engines… Simon
Everyone is giving advice for adding pickups and other info, but I’m more curious as to when or how He has an Atlas #8 turnout with a plastic frog. Along with having 24’’ radius track, which I think is true-track. If He is using true-track turnouts they have a plastic frog just like a Snap Switch and they surely are not #8’s. All numbered Customline turnouts have the black metal insulated frog that can be powered.
I believe more info is necessary from the OP before any advice could be given to help Him out.
Atlas #8 is defnintely not a plastic frog. There is a little loop outside of the rails on one side where one can connect power, routed by contacts on the switch machine, such as a Tortoise, of if using Atlas point motors, you cna add a Snap Relay in parallel to change the frog polarity. Themn the whole thing will be powered and even those split pickup locos should be able to run nicely over the frog without stalling.
That frog is metal and can be powered by soldering or using a screw in that little brass ring or loop that is sticking out from the side of the ties on the left. I have been powering My frogs with Atlas snap relays and under table Atlas switch machines since 1980 all 45 of them and never had to replace any of them due to them as You heard ''stink". You can use a Tortoise to switch them and power the frog if You prefer…You can’t use a frog juicer, that’s for DCC. Tortoise’s were not even out yet when I built My layout otherwise I may have used them. But I have not had any issues with the Atlas Products. I use normally open push buttons on control panel with route indicator Led’s to power the machines/relays with a 6amp 18vac power supply, 12vdc for the Led’s.
The Bachmann engines should all have metal wheels, so adding wipers should work for those. Since some of the wheels probably have tires, make sure the wipers touch the back of the wheel instead of the tread.
The Mantua F7 will be more tricky. As long as it has the MU-2 motor and not Tyco’s “sidewinder”, it can be upgraded with metal wheels and some extra weight. Here’s my conversion on a Mantua Sharknose: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/195040.aspx (you might have to copy and paste that)
One other option would be to add pickup shoes next to the plastic wheels to touch the track directly.
