Selector
Well-Known Member
Anyone know if the Walthers Code 83 30 degree crossing, the one with the blackened frogs, needs to be gapped? I have tested the tracks leading to a Peco insulfrog Code 83 $6 turnout, gapped just beyond the frog for both routes, and I have soldered curved lengths that meet at the crossing, and then curve outward to join two more Peco Code 83 #6's. This forms what I call a scissors-type turning wye. The rails to the first turnout are on a spiral ramp leading down to my staging. I have it gapped about 10 feet back, and contiguous to the Peco. I have that section linked through a PSX-AR to act as a reverser.
Here is a crude hand-drawn diagram. The dotted lines at left represent the lower climbing ramp that eventually links to the Peco at far right. From there, still climbing, the two branches meet, soldered, at the crossing. They are both powered. After the crossing, only the lowermost curved flex is powered. As indicated the upper left segment is not yet powered, nor is it connected to the Peco it will eventually connect to. I am pretty sure there are complete gaps at the right side Peco where the branching starts, but one is very tight...may have to clear that up to be sure.
I had thought the crossing would isolate all four exits from the frogs and from each other. If any of you knows that it is that way, then my problem lies elsewhere. I would like assurances that this item, the crossing, should be okay with all four branches extending from it hard-wired/soldered.
Here is a crude hand-drawn diagram. The dotted lines at left represent the lower climbing ramp that eventually links to the Peco at far right. From there, still climbing, the two branches meet, soldered, at the crossing. They are both powered. After the crossing, only the lowermost curved flex is powered. As indicated the upper left segment is not yet powered, nor is it connected to the Peco it will eventually connect to. I am pretty sure there are complete gaps at the right side Peco where the branching starts, but one is very tight...may have to clear that up to be sure.
I had thought the crossing would isolate all four exits from the frogs and from each other. If any of you knows that it is that way, then my problem lies elsewhere. I would like assurances that this item, the crossing, should be okay with all four branches extending from it hard-wired/soldered.