[}:)] As I continue to work on the WTRR (Hub City Division), sometimes I run into a problem and I think it is a good idea to share this with other model railroaders, especially those just starting out. I’ve been modeling seriously since 1963, first real layout 1978-79n N-Scale, then 1985 first large HO, 19’ X 29’. The WTRR 30’ X 30’.
The Kato ran beautifully from the stub end yard heading out of the Jackson, TN, heading onto the first 18’ of railroad, when just past the fifth switch or turnout, the engine stalled on a test run. I would, by hand move the engine back and forth until I would pick up power. Each time, just past the points, where the turnout makes contact with the common rails, the engine would stall, before the frog. Beyond the frog of course no electrical activity.
I first tried to move the switch up and down, sliding the track back and forthand side ways, checking out contacts; just changing the level of the track can re-establish electrical contact. Then I moved the points and saw a little movement.
That’s it! Dirty points, poor contact. Took a small wire brush, cleaned the points, the contact area on both sides, making sure not to bend the delicate points and voila, the engine ran right through the switch or turnout without missing a lick.
Clean your points on your turnouts, this can save a lot of aggrevation.
Central Office of the Hub City Division
WTRR
Good of you to point that out to us, RS. Undoubtedly some of us forget to get to the point(s).[^]
Thanks for the tip. This is helpful.
Metal to metal contact of point’s to stock rails for electrity, is unreliable with time due to oxidation and contamiation. Permanent cure is to power the frog through separate contact’s - such as on the switch machine that moves the point’s…
Atlas and ‘DCC friendly’ turnout’s have ‘dead’ frogs, but will have to provide ‘positive’ connection’s to the point rails, to avoid this problem.
Your #5 intermittant switch problem will eventually show up on the other four.
Let’s hear it for the Tortoise and those power routing contacts! I also use Peco for switches that are within easy reach of the aisle. Cheaper, especially now that Tortoise prices are going up. The spring loaded locking device on the Peco makes this possible but there is a recurrent problem (or should I say de-current) w/ contact. My solution is to keep an old tuna can handy to the locations w/ Peco switches. In them are goodies like Bright Boy, Rail Zip, a pipe cleaner and a piece of 600 grit sandpaper folded over. When stalling occurs I slip the sandpaper between the point & the stock rail, exert pressure and swipe it back and forth on both sides a few times. Then the pipe cleaner is moistened (lightly) w/ Rail Zip and the procedure is repeated. I suppose other types of contact cleaner would work, but I had the Rail Zip on hand and it works. The procedure takes longer to read about than it does to do.
Nother good POINT brought up on the forum! The atlas undertable is SUPPOSED to work like the Tortoise , I hope, since I have both. This is a part of the hobby I forgot after 30 years Cleaning Track!