Isolating track extension.

J

Johnkm

Registered
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Hi, need some help please. Had a track oval in my garden. Have extended this by adding a U or Horseshoe shape at the end, using one std l/h point and one std r/h point. (N.B. Trains are analogue)
The idea of this was to form a half oval that could have a train parked there at a station, and run an additional train on the original oval, with the points set to isolate the new track.
However, the points/switches do NOT isolate the end track. So power seems runs through all the rails, irrespective of the switch position. (unlike my OO gauge system.).
How do I resolve this. Do I need a manual isolating switch, and does it exist?
Thanks in advance.
John
 
Hi John and welcome.

Do we take it that you're using LGB track and points?

Yes, you are correct, the G scale points don't isolate like OO ones do. What you will need to get are a couple of insulated rail joiners (LGB supply yellow plastic ones or you can use insulated rail clamps) and replace the standard joiners on one rail (no need to do both) either side of the section you want to isolate, just like isolating a siding in OO. If you use rail clamps you will have a means of attaching wires going to a switch at one end of the isolated section. Maplins supply suitable switches, although you'll have to find a way of protecting them from the weather in a building maybe? Alternatively, LGB make switching blocks, but these may be a bit expensive and OTT for this application?

The joiners and clamps are available from most G scale suppliers, but I would recommend speaking to Andrew in Cheltenham;
http://www.gardenrailwaycentres.info/main/

If you need any more info, don't be afraid to ask. :thumbup:
 
Hi John and welcome to the forum.

As you have discovered, unlike many other scales G scale pointwork is usually non-isolating so you'll need two gaps in the same rail, one each end of the section you wish to isolate.

Manual switches are made by LGB but are rather expensive for what they are.
They also produce a microswitch that may be fitted to a point, but this fits on the end of their electric point motor and at about £22 to £25 for the switch and about the same for the point motor this isn't exactly cheap either. What's more the microswitch is only rated at 2A DC so can easily be overloaded in the event of a derailment or track short with a decent power supply.
 
If I may interject here (you do and you'll clean it up) insulating railclamps, that's something I am not clued up on. Presumably you are talking about LGB railclamps, now following on from my recent usage of railclamps, see other threads, wonder if anyone makes code250 insulating railclamps.
 
Glengrant said:
If I may interject here (you do and you'll clean it up) insulating railclamps, that's something I am not clued up on. Presumably you are talking about LGB railclamps, now following on from my recent usage of railclamps, see other threads, wonder if anyone makes code250 insulating railclamps.
Click to expand...

Third item down on the list for instance:bigsmile::bigsmile:

http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk/MassothJoiners.html

And third form the bottom for code 250.

http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk/Hillman.html
 
Johnkm said:
:)
Thanks very much for the advice. Yes, it is LGB track. John
Click to expand...
Hi John, and welcome to the forum.
I have what you need. Don't use it now as Im digital (and so is the railway before anybody asks) I can post it to you FOC if your interested.......:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Nemo said:
Johnkm said:
:)
Thanks very much for the advice. Yes, it is LGB track. John
Click to expand...
Hi John, and welcome to the forum.
I have what you need. Don't use it now as Im digital (and so is the railway before anybody asks) I can post it to you FOC if your interested.......:thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...
What a darned nice bloke, have 5 points Steve. :thumbup::thumbup:

Give Andrew another bell Cyril, fairly sure he'll have some code 250 isolators.

edit - Just one thing to bear in mind Steve, John's only just joined and won't be able to send a PM.
 
yb281 said:
Nemo said:
Johnkm said:
:)
Thanks very much for the advice. Yes, it is LGB track. John
Click to expand...
Hi John, and welcome to the forum.
I have what you need. Don't use it now as Im digital (and so is the railway before anybody asks) I can post it to you FOC if your interested.......:thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...
What a darned nice bloke, have 5 points Steve. :thumbup::thumbup:

Give Andrew another bell Cyril, fairly sure he'll have some code 250 isolators.

edit - Just one thing to bear in mind Steve, John's only just joined and won't be able to send a PM.
Click to expand...
Ta Mel.
I'll send John a PM with me phone number
 
OK thanks chaps, I think my brian was out of gear there, yes, I think I've actually got some in stock, but thanks guys, (Thinks, could I have water on my brian? Wouldn't be surprised in this weather)
 
yb281 said:
Glengrant said:
OK thanks chaps, I think my brian was out of gear there, yes, I think I've actually got some in stock, but thanks guys, (Thinks, could I have water on my brian? Wouldn't be surprised in this weather)
Click to expand...
Who's Brian?? :rolf::rolf:
Click to expand...
He's that bloke who's a bit wet behind the ears....
 
Glengrant said:
OK thanks chaps, I think my brian was out of gear there, yes, I think I've actually got some in stock, but thanks guys, (Thinks, could I have water on my brian? Wouldn't be surprised in this weather)
Click to expand...

A tap on the head Cyril?
 
welcome to the fourm, :thumbup:
 
steve at back 2 bay 6 got me some 250 isolators, black i think , and made by svr so they fit the accucraft rail profile but not the peco,,,
 
Thank you to all for the offers of help and advice. I cannot reply to private messages at this time due to Newbie restrictions, but will do later. Still sorting out track, base sidings and buildings etc. Looking forward to running trains soon!
John:)
 
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