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Passing Loop with Siding – Kato Number 4 Points
Adam models N gauge and asks:
“My passing loop with sidings comes off the loop, but when I switch the rails to move an engine up the siding the engine in the loop moves too. There is no doubt a simple fix? Can anyone offer me some guidance?”
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4 Responses to Passing Loop with Siding – Kato Number 4 Points
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Kato #4 turnouts can be set to power routing or not! There are several videos about how to change it, but it is basically accomplished by (re)locating 3 screws underneath the turnout.
Your switch is power routed. Which your points are facing is the direction the power goes. Gapping one. or both rails and feeding power past the gap. However, if this is a industrial spur then this becomes a pain. Caboose Industries makes a ground throw that could also be used
You need to isolate the siding rails from the main at both ends of the loop. If each turnout is fully isolating by itself, ensure both turnouts are set back to the main to isolate the siding.
Obviously, if trains are operating on both tracks simultaneously, the siding will need its own power connection which is isolated from the connection to the main. So two PSU/controllers are needed (if both operate at the same time), and only one controller may be on when the turnout is connecting the tracks.
If you have only one controller, fit a two-way switch connected so that power will only go to one track at a time.
I have assumed that your layout is DC. If it is DCC, the problem is two engines set to the same address.