IKB 1985

Thanks Iain, need to do some thinking. Appreciate your reply!

Yes I was aware it'd do "either", my concern was if mixing and matching would cause issues.

I have got the Rails Connect acessory decoders to power the points on the scenic section of my layout. The built in frog power was a big draw in that setup. Now even though I have DCC I'd rather set routes via the traditional switch route. Can I use the typical momentary switch but take power from the track bus? That'd certainly make wiring far easier and remove the need for a seperate 12v accessory supply. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Thank you, but appears to have been just a glitch. Switched it off overnight, working fine today! Oh well!

I have a couple of the Farish sound locos but some of the functions don't seem to work? F3 is a particular culprit on two of my three sound fitted locos pressing it does nothing. Could these functions have been inadvertently turned off in some way? If so, can I turn them on again? Any pointers or thoughts gratefully taken on board!

DCB you're pretty much nailed my dilemma. As I use Code 55 N gauge finescale on my scenic section I have a choice of Unifrog or Electrofrog. There is no Insulfrog. I think this settles it that DCC is going to suit my needs far better in the longer term making for simpler wiring and more straightforward operation. Thank you all for your insights and experience, it's much appreciated!

Thank you very much Jeremy, I had to read it a few times but I do believe you have it cracked. This would also mean adding extra power feeds beyond the IRJs to ensure continuity but it would work. I need to give some serious thought to whether these sorts of workarounds are what I want to go with or just fit DCC and be done with it. It seems that the hobby seems to continue to edge in that direction but that's another discussion. Thank you very much for taking the time to explain that, it expands my understanding a little further and it's much appreciated!

Thanks all, it's a bog standard crossover consisting of two sets of points facing each other creating a sort of zig zag shape if you will. The issue I have is that these points need to be controlled from the outer circuit when accessing the yard, with the points set to curved, or as two independent loops with the blades set to straight. If I fit insulated rail joiners then option two works but not one, if I don't then the reverse is true. I'm just scratching my head how I can achieve both depending on the routing required. I'm increasingly being drawn to just going DCC and eliminating these quirks, at this stage of proceedings it would be relatively straightforward.

Thanks mate, but unfortunately they're not. The crossover is between two loops that should be independently powered. I'm just a bit bemused how the track behind the points is still energised.

I know that Unifrog has been discussed on here, I've read a huge amount of what there is but as a total newbie to model railways I'm really struggling here. After reading the various bits I understood Unifrog was the "best of both worlds" but it's become clear that contrary to what I had (perhaps foolishly) believed there is no isolation when the blades are flipped. For sidings this is no big deal, an isolating section will cure that but what is frying my brain is crossovers. How do you wire these? Insulating rail joiners will leave the area beyond the points dead, surely I don't need two isolating sections either side of the points? Any guidance would be much appreciated as electrics aren't a strong point and this is proving a very steep learning curve!