Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!

High Resistance Track Switches

Bucky asks readers:

“My Lionel switches have a low resistance (~13 Ohms) between the middle and side rails. The MTH switches have very high resistance. The switches work normally. Why is this? Thanks.”

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Add a photo or image related to your comment (JPEG only)

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Frank Bushnell
Frank Bushnell
10 years ago

I am not familiar with Lionel track, but this sounds strange.

This would mean that about 1 Amp would be continually drawn from a 12 Volt supply even with no locos on the track.

Are you measuring this resistance with the switch electrically isolated (completely disconnected) from everything else ? Is it the same if the switch is in either side position or central ?

ho scale house

Model Railroading Blog Archive

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION