rynd2it

OK, first off it's now working ok after some studying and experimenting. There is no point (sorry) is isolating the stock rails as they are connected to the bus, any adjacent frog V-rails will have their own IRJs. My big mistake was not following the advice to use switch A to change the polarity on Frog B. Having corrected that and run tests it was obvious that the polarity settings were reversed, simple to correct and now is all running as required. Thanks for all the help and input, very much appreciated

After another look at the Peco diagram, it shows IRJs installed on all slip approach rails, and the two supplied droppers connected to the track feeds (DCC bus). While I am willing to follow the diagram, it seems strange to isolate the stock rails then connect it directly to what it would be connected without the IRJs. I'll have to experiment with this, it does seem counter intuitive. Thanks for the help, I'll report back in due course

I have the double slip operated by two servos using MERG controls and micro switches on the servo mount to change polarity. I wired it so the right hand blades moved and switched the right hand frog and the left hand blades switched the left side frog. Despite carefully checking that the polarity was correct for the blade setting trying to turn from say A to C or B to D would not work. If the blades we set for that routes, then the frog was the wrong polarity and it shorted out. Going straight across (A to D, B to C) worked fine. I then discovered that Peco specifies the blades at the left should control the polarity of the right hand frog and v.v. I changed to that but I still get a wrong polarity when trying to turn rather than going straight across. Layout is wired for DCC (everything live) but I was testing using DC (handles shorts better) . I'm at a loss to understand what is going on so would appreciate some guidance

Sorry I misread it

That's gauge widening

This is academic, it was set track and fell apart when lifted. It's been replaced and now works fine.

Thanks for that, interesting.

I can just about force it in over a length of about 7", anyway I've bought the replacement track

The track gauge won't fit

I've decided to bite the bullet and replace the two pieces, this is booked for an exhibition in May so I need to get a move on. Thanks for the input

It might but is it worth trying?

On a 009 layout I inherited the sharp curves appear to be set track, everywhere else is Peco flex. The track is fully ballasted so changing it would be a pain. However, there is one place where all locos just stop. After thoroughly cleaning the track and the loco wheels to no avail, I started examining the area more closely and finally discovered that the gauge appears to be narrowing - I can't get track gauge to fit in that area. I really would prefer not to lift the track and I was wondering if gentle heating and manipulating with the track gauge would work to widen the gauge. Comments and suggestions please especially if you have experienced this before.

I have just done some experiments, the soldering iron trick as in the video works well, the abrasive paper also works but needed quite coarse grit - 180 and not as neat

That looks like it might do the job although as the last comment on the video said - it's not Kynar wire.

I can't change the wires but the abrasive paper might work, I'll try it

These are thinner than decoder wires, only slightly thicker than human hair. I was wondering if there was a chemical that would dissolve the coating

No they seem to be plastic coated

I have some 1mm leds with very thin wires. What's the best way to strip these wires so I can solder onto them?

OK, thanks. I can make out most of the details probably enough to work out scaled to N gauge dimensions

I can save the images you posted but the quality isn't too great, was hoping for the original jpgs

The photo by Junctionmad is fine, but the links referred to in Dagworths post don't work, come up unavailable

HI, The links seem broken again - please can you reupload or save to somewhere shareable?

ALL RIGHT! a friend reminded me of where I got it from: To save you watching it all it is 5gm per cm between the buffer stocks. But the video is worth a look, if a tad OTT ;)

The NMRA numbers are based on USA practice with bogie wagons and very long trains; I'm running 009 with about 4 - 5 short wheelbase wagons. Like I said, there is a simple formula out there but I can't find it.

And how much is that? The formula worked well, I just can't find it, nor do I have access to the rolling stock I fitted.