LGB R5 - "live" frog conversion

[ntpntpntp]

Generally speaking my LGB locos run nicely through the frogs on my LGB R5 points, but I do also possess other brands of locos and occasionally I find some of the short wheelbase models stall on the frog. My Maerklin Maxi loco suffers particularly badly.

One of the reasons for this is the length of the plastic "V" in the frog, and the different depth of flange on non-LGB loco wheels which can prevent them touching the metal strips set into the bottom of the frog. ...

 

[ntpntpntp]

... Some time ago I posted on the old GSM forum a live frog conversion for the Peco G-45 points that used a couple of bits of rail and a microswitch. Here's a reminder:

 

[ntpntpntp]

.... so, why not try something similar with the LGB points?

First job is to remove the plastic "V" by undoing two screws underneath ...

 

[ntpntpntp]

I then constructed a new brass "V" from old LGB rail. The shape is quite complex, requiring two pieces of rail with removal of a section of the foot and web of the rail from each (leaving just the head) and then some fettling with Mr Dremil to get something that drops into place without modifying the LGB point itself. The rails are soldered together at the tip of the V, with one rail leading and shaped to form the actual tip and the other set into the side just behind, as is normal practise when making point frogs. A short piece of metal that was previously removed was soldered to the opposite end from the tip, to provide a suitable place to drill and tap for securing the new V to the point.

 

[ntpntpntp]

Here`s the new V dropped into place.  I drilled and tapped a couple of holes to allow it to be secured with the existing screws
     

 

[ntpntpntp]

Finally all that's needed is to wire up the frog to a suitable changeover switch. The existing connections that bridge the rails on exit from the frog were cut and removed to prevent short circuits.

 

[ntpntpntp]

As my R5 points are already motorised with LGB point motors, it seemed obvious to make use of the LGB 12070 EPL Supplementary Switch Type 2.

 

[ntpntpntp]

Now all that's needed it to remember to use isolating joiners on both rails that exit the frog, if you intend to have additional power feeds to the track beyond the frog (ie. just like you would for a live frog point in any scale).

 

[ntpntpntp]

Steve, thanks for editing and adding the attachment links - I was about to go in and do that!

 

[Steve]

Steve, thanks for editing and adding the attachment links - I was about to go in and do that!

Sorry , was not sure who does or does not know how so thought i would enlarge them as its a brilliant thread .

Regards

 

[ntpntpntp]

Sorry , was not sure who does or does not know how so thought i would enlarge them as its a brilliant thread .

Thanks! Glad you found it interesting. One of those little projects that can be undertaken on the workbench indoors during the winter. Now I just need to wait until my other R5 points surface from beneath the snow and I'll do those as well!

 

[spike]

Excellent......looks well neat

 

[Rhinochugger]

A masterful improvement - to the supposedly superlative german engineering

One thing that LGB were very good at - making sure that once you'd bought their stuff, you had to keep buying their stuff

 

[Clive Elesmore]

Thank you for a very useful thread. I will consider these improvements for my Peco points. I was already going to replace the check rails to improve realism and this will improve things further.

Well laid out and very informative. Thank you. Clive

 

[whatlep]

Great article - many thanks!

 

[Gizzy]

Nicely done Nick; an excellent article....

 

[TerrySoham]

All,

I'm a newcomer to this so please bare with me if I post this incorrectly.

An excellent article.

The pick up problems with the LGB frogs resulted in me taking the big step to convert all my locos to battery power with radio control some years ago. A rather expensive solution I admit but, of course, it also avoids the problems of dirty rails and running more than one loco at once on the same track.

Terry Metcalfe

 

[The Devonian]

The name suggests that Tac may have another neighbor on here; another Fenlander.

 

[Rhinochugger]

All,

I'm a newcomer to this so please bare with me if I post this incorrectly.

An excellent article.

The pick up problems with the LGB frogs resulted in me taking the big step to convert all my locos to battery power with radio control some years ago. A rather expensive solution I admit but, of course, it also avoids the problems of dirty rails and running more than one loco at once on the same track.

Terry Metcalfe

In the grand scheme of things, maybe not that much more expensive than going digital, but with the vast improvement in battery technology nowadays, a very sensible step.

Interestingly, a step back towards the world of garden railways before LGB

 

[Spule 4]

Great fix of an existing problem.

If one is looking to buy new points, the new TrainLine45 points can have the frog powered.

http://www.train-li-usa.com/store/proswitch-brass-drive-left-p-183.html

An even larger R7 point is in the works for this year.