Bachmann Locos on Peco Diamond Crossings

[drewn]

My OO Gauge layout currently includes two Peco Diamond Crosslngs. Some of the locos ( the Bo-Bo's) tend to short for a split second when crossing these crossings (sorry, too many bleedin' crossings there!). This is most noticeable when a sound chipped loco shorts - the sound splutters for the short period.

 

I,ve cleaned the diamonds of any muck, but to no avail.

 

The problem does not occur on Co-Co locos

 

Any ideas guys?

[amdaley]

I presume they're the insulated frog type of crossings ?

It occurs because some loco wheels touch both polarities at the same time.

If you run a loco by night with the lights off you can see the flash when a short occurs.

You can increase the insulated area with some nail varnish or switch to electrofrog type crossings.

[drewn]

Amdaley,

 

Thanks for the reply . I actually thought ALL Peco Diamond crossings were insulfrog!

 

Drew

[sagaguy]

You can get live frog diamond crossings in code 75.Although i don`t model in 00 at the moment,i`ve come across this  problem with Peco N insulfrog crossings.the only answer in the end was to replace them with live frog crossings with the attendent switchgear,i don`t use DCC but no doubt,someone will advise you on the wiring.

 

  http://www.ehattons.com/13184/Peco_Products_SL_E194_Finescale_long_crossing_electrofrog/StockDetail.aspx

 

    Ray.

[Silver Sidelines]

Hello Drew

 

Yes been there - although I thought that my engines stalled because of the plastic dead frogs. 

 

I ovecame the problem by fitting a single slip - although I dare not use the slip as such because it is so abrupt - like turning sharp left!  The latest Code 100 Insulfrog single slip has much better electrical continuity than the Inuslfrog diamond.

 

I am not Digital and I don't think anything was shorting out.  I had two diamond crossing, the plastic frogs on the first became very worn.  I also remember that both crossing seem to bow upwards at the centre which again was not conducive to smooth running and I drilled an extra fixing hole right in the centre of the crossing - that was before I gave up and bought the single slip.

 

Good luck

 

Ray

[Jenny Emily]

I've never had the plastic wear out on a crossing, but I do get the shorts as described. Not bad enough to cause issues on DC but I expect they would be a problem for DCC users. Most locomotives seem to generate the momentary sparks and occasionally rolling stock will too. If a loco stalls out on a crossing, this may be a sign that the pickups on its wheels aren't all in contact when they should be.

[drewn]

Guys,

More research has been carried out !

 

It is NOT a shorting problem but a Stalling problem!

 

The Bo-Bo wheels are in contact with the rails and all wheels pick up ok!I

 

I've pinned down the centre of the crossing.

 

Now here's the rub :-

 

1. A class 25 Bo-Bo stalls

2. A class 37 Co-Co stalls

but 3. A class 47 Co-co does not !

 

I think I'll give up, have a cuppa and live with what I've got, warts and all!

 

Thanks to all those who responded

 

Drew

[alfsboy]

With any Peco point or crossing I always flattened both sides on a sheet of  flat fine wet and dry   until all high spots are removed top and bottom .I also usually just get a small flat or triangular swiss file and run it through all the flange ways ,frog, point ends,  etc to  smooth the flow of the wheel flange through also rounding off the entrance and exit points  removing any sharp edges.This drastically improves any point and  helps stops stalling even on dead frogs .It works a treat even on handlaid  .

[amdaley]

Guys,

More research has been carried out !

 

It is NOT a shorting problem but a Stalling problem!

 

The Bo-Bo wheels are in contact with the rails and all wheels pick up ok!I

 

I've pinned down the centre of the crossing.

 

Now here's the rub :-

 

1. A class 25 Bo-Bo stalls

2. A class 37 Co-Co stalls

but 3. A class 47 Co-co does not !

 

I think I'll give up, have a cuppa and live with what I've got, warts and all!

 

Thanks to all those who responded

 

Drew

Common problem with insulated frogs.

Are the stalling locos picking up from the wheels on both ends or just the one ?

 

There are three possible cures for the stalling problem.

 

Replace the crossings with Electro frog types.

 

All wheel pick up on all locos.

 

If using DCC fit decoders with stay alive capacitors.

 

Make sure all crossings are dead flat as any high spots can cause a rocking motion especially on short wheel based locos.

 

There is of course a fourth cure, the hand of God or a Lewis Hamilton type entry to all crossings