I am looking for some input regarding a Walthers double crossover (948-8812) used in my HO DCC layout. I have several locos that run just fine across this section of track, but I have others that hesitate for just an instant, and continue running. One is brand new, so I don’t think I have dirty wheels. At first, I thought a lack of volatage, so I added feeders directly to the crossover. Then I suspected dirty track and I have tried several times and methods to clean, but all to no improvement.
Are you absolutely sure you have the polarity the same on both sides of the crossover? With DCC, it’s actually the AC signal phase that has to be exactly the same on both sides. If one side is wired wrong, decoder equipped locomotives will stall momentarily and then proceed. Some brands of decoders are more sensitive to this than others. Double check your wiring.
Time to break out the DVOM and start checking voltage reading. Make sure you have the correct track voltage on all the rails before and after you switch the turnouts. It actually sounds like you have one of the older non dcc friendly ones but your part number is correct for the new one. If all elase fails give Walthers a call.
Could you tell if that happen with short wheels base locos.
Anyway I beleive you have an electrical problems so to be sure take a look at this web site they explain how to wire DCC friendly track, turnouts, double switch, crossover, crossing.
I have the same double-crossover, and if you look closely at it, you will see that sections of it are insulated. Powering them is easy if you use tortoise switch machines, as they have contacts for powering sections of track.
Are you seeing a short on your DCC protection when this happens ? I had a similar situation with Walthers three way turnouts. I found that certain locomotives going through would cause a short across a guide rail and a normal rail. I ended up having to insulate a portion of the guide rail (painted a section about 1/4" long) to keep it from happening. Walthers engineered it a little tight where if a locomotive was going through just wrong and it would occur. I have 3 of the three way turnouts and all three exhibit the same issue.