[tom]

Hi,

I am building a new layout where ALL the trains are DCC, but I can't seem to find a definative answer to the question:

Do I get electrofrog or insulfrog?

I don't have any complicated trackwork, just two ovals with some crossover points and a goods yard with a head shunt.

I am planning on using Peco 75 and want to keep all the trackwork simple. I.E. not cutting out point frogs and soldering blades to one another!

Thanks Tom.

 

[double00]

I find that Peco standard points are suitable for layouts in general.

 

[RFS]

You should use electrofrog for DCC. Peco code 75 points are not available in Insulfrog anyway. Otherwise you will get endless problems with momentary short circuits as locos and metal-wheeled stock crosses over frogs etc. You can put insulated rail joiners past the frog with code 100 but that still leaves a dead section and the problem with the point blades.

Peco code 75 points are very easy to make DCC friendly as the rail cuts are already made for you but bonded underneath so you only need to remove the bonding wires. Bonding the blades to the stock rail - or simply adding another dropper wire - is very easy too. The purpose of this is to eliminate the reliance on the point blade getting power by being held against the stock rail, something that can fail over time as the in-built spring weakens.

I have made the mistake of using two code 75 insulfrog crossings and both have caused no end of problems. All other points are electrofrog modified as above. The crossings are having to be isolated and powered by Masterswitch Plus units to resolve the issue.

See these web-sites - http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ and Brian Lambert's http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/DCC.htm