[geoff1]

Hello , I retrieved the dismantled N gauge layout after being in the loft for 10 years (the railway, not me) for a project in the lockdowns. I used the same track that had been stored away and eventually most of the points worked. The locos are all Farish (British made) except for one and only two failed to work.

The problem is that one point is very sensitive and occassionally seems to short and stop the loco until it is moved to the next point- I think that it is an electrofrog point?. Touching the inner rail of the point with a screwdriver activates the loco and is Ok until it comes around to the same point.

I have sent two e-mails to Peco about this issue, but they have not replied.

I don't really want to change the point (track has certainly increased in price since I originally bought some in the 1990's) as the the whole layout is not glued.

Maybe someone can tell me what the porblem is and is there a fix?

Regards

Geoff

 

[hoonsou]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
Your problem might be a bad contact from the stock rail/rails to the point blade/blades. The first thing to try is a gentle clean of the inside of the stock rail and the point blade where they meet, because this is the way that current passes through. If you have some Isopropyl Alcohol or failing that, some metho and something small enough to apply it, that would be good. Let us know how you go.

 

[34C]

Likewise, welcome!
QUOTE (hoonsou @ 7 May 2021, 02:05) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...problem might be a bad contact from the stock rail/rails to the point blade/blades...
That's most likely.

Now, I'll add to the above suggestion, that if your track is not glued down, the easiest way to proceed is to take it off the layout: and then using either an ohmmeter or the controller and a 12V light bulb you can test for electrical continuity independent of the rest of the layout, while in a comfortable chair at whatever you use as a work bench.

All the best, and as above tell us what you find out.

 

[geoff1]

Many thanks for the replies.

It was a mixture of problems, now resolved. I was trying to repair the wrong point which was the first error. Once that I had determined the faulty point , I cleaned it with IPA, but then noticed a gap between the point and the straight track - so it was dirt and lack of contact. The track was glued down (I added a negative to my oringinal post), so I applied a dab of solder to the joint.

All is well now, so once again many thanks.

Regards

Geoff

 

[34C]

QUOTE (geoff1 @ 11 May 2021, 20:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...I applied a dab of solder to the joint. All is well now, so once again many thanks...
Good to read you found the faults and fixed them.

However, my experience suggests that the 'dab of solder' should be treated as a test patch, and not a permanent fix. Before you forget what has been done and where, solder a small piece of wire with a little slack in it across the patched joint. That will be 'permanent' compared to a tin/lead solder butt joint between rail ends, which can very rapidly fatigue and break.