Subject:
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Re: Isolating rails
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Sat, 6 May 2000 11:59:14 GMT
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Viewed:
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875 times
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In lugnet.trains, Jonathan Reynolds writes:
> Has anyone tried making isolating rails? By this I mean a purposely modified
> section of track with a cut in one or both rails (can be done with a modelling
> grinder etc.).
>
> All the postings I have read refer to using 1 stud gaps between the rail ends
> or sticky tape. Whilst this provides a convenient and quick method for
> temporary layouts I am looking into more permanent solutions, maybe with
> soldered wires and proprietary toggles in preference to Lego feeder wires with
> DPDT technic switches (shock horror).
>
> Only reason to use non-Lego components was one of cost, but if the Mindstorms
> system is developed enough it may make remote electronic power selection/point
> switching a reality. This is of course wishful thinking as the RCX only has
> two motor/voltage outputs - does anyoner have any ideas beyond the 'red
> herring' Lego DCC
Mindstorms has more than 2 voltage outputs (8+, you can write a program to
split it in NQC to 100 discrete power levels, from 0.01 sec power on to 1. sec
power on)
I have a fair amount of experence doing exactly what you are proposing to do,
and it works quite well (using non lego solutions to lego problems). My
present layout has 3 sections (the upper, lower and ramp sections) with the
upper and lower only controllable by there respective controller (a Tech 2 2400
and 1500) and the ramp being switched from one to the other. I also have some
isolation pieces with a SPST switch wired across a gap cut in one rail, useful
for parking trains in a siding.
Either a Dremel (or suchlike) or a fine saw work fine for cutting the rail. I
out of preference perfer the Dremel for cutting gaps and the rail itself
because it does a better job than the saw.
I use a 18W soldering iron, and 60-40 solder to make connections, with rosin
flux applied to the place I wish to connect to.
James P
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Isolating rails
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| Has anyone tried making isolating rails? By this I mean a purposely modified section of track with a cut in one or both rails (can be done with a modelling grinder etc.). All the postings I have read refer to using 1 stud gaps between the rail ends (...) (25 years ago, 5-May-00, to lugnet.trains)
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