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Isolated Sidings?
Warwick models N gauge and asks:
“So you know I have Kato # 4 points and a passing loop with sidings coming from the loop. Problem is; switching the track to maneuver my engine to the siding causes my other engine on the loop to moves too. Not sure how to isolate the siding? Help for others appreciated.”
5 Responses to Isolated Sidings?
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Hi Warwick
If you isolate the sidings with insulated joiners then wire the sidings through a double pole double throw switch then you can liven the siding when you have all your other sidings etc turned off.
You can insulate just one rail, then use a single pole double throw of a simple off/on switch for each siding.
Thanks mate I’ll give it a go.
Either use insulated (plastic) rail joiners or cut the rails on your spur. Drop feeders and install DPDT switch. Center studs go to the siding, either pair go to the main.
I’m not sure where on the loop that other engine is, but isolating the siding isn’t going to help stop the engine on the loop from moving. You need to be able to isolate that part of the loop where the engine is.
As far as I know, Kato points are power routing, so as long as you don’t have a power feed going to the loop, you should be able to set the points against that other engine and then it shouldn’t move. The points in front of that engine will be set against it so that you can maneuver the first engine into the siding. So you should be able to set the points behind that other engine against it, ie the points at the other end of the loop, so as to isolate it.
(Situations like this are why I decided to go to DCC!)