Comments on: Solving Point Problem When Running Switcher Locos

By: Hugh

Hugh — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:31:35 +0000

thanks for input much appreciated

By: George

George — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 17:51:16 +0000

Had the same problem, how I resolved it was to wire the frog to a two-way toggle with and toggle the Power to the direction of travel, namely left or right to the center pole or frog, that cured all my problems now every thing runs as it should, its a quick fix. Hope this helps.

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:06:30 +0000

For guaranteed power right through the Electrofrog point, the frog must be powered. Get on to Youtube, Peco has a number of tutorials how to do this. Charlie Bishop also has a very good tutorial.

Once you have wired the frog this issue will disappear

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 02:23:13 +0000

I have found that adding a power wire to the sections of track between the switch points and the frog solves the problem. Without them , the power to this section of track is totally dependent on a good connection where the switch points touch the outer rails.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 01:02:06 +0000

Good question… I have the same problem with a small ” PIKO ” engine. My theory is that when the traction tire is opposite the frog, then, for the length of the frog, power is lost. Turn the engine around, then the traction tire passes over the frog, and the powered wheel, (wheels), maintain contact with the “live” rail. Just my theory…don’t know for sure…

By: geoff

geoff — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 00:57:27 +0000

How is the frog powered? Are you relying on the physical contact between the blade and the stock rail? Try applying pressure to the point blade when the train goes over it and see if the stall goes away. (A large locomotive could be long enough to be picking up power from the rails at either end of the points, where a small one needs to pick up power from the blade.)

If this is the problem, it might be caused by a piece of grit or other dirt preventing a proper contact between the blade and the rail, or the spring is getting weak. And the solution is to power the frog directly with a polarity switch, either a mechanical one attached to the point mechanism or an electronic one.