[Tonyperks]

Hi all I am having trouble with my hornby stock mostly vda vans and china clay hoppers shorting through point work, its a pain because obviously every thing comes to a halt this happens on 2 peco medium points both code 100 is this a back to back issue as i dont have a problem with bachmann stock, the "point" sorry, where the short occurs is at the wing rail next to the frog.

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Tonyperks @ 29 Dec 2007, 06:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi all I am having trouble with my hornby stock mostly vda vans and china clay hoppers shorting through point work, its a pain because obviously every thing comes to a halt this happens on 2 peco medium points both code 100 is this a back to back issue as i dont have a problem with bachmann stock, the "point" sorry, where the short occurs is at the wing rail next to the frog.

***Hi.

You don't say so but I presume these are insulfrog?

The problem is twofold.
(1) I recently checked a load of Hornby wheelsets on a large variety of recent wagons and no two were the actually the same - and ALL were far too close together!

So... The back to backs of the Hornby Wheelsets are probably too close (If they are all relatively recent releases target = 14.5). This can be adjusted by dropping out the wheelset and twisting/pulling gently.

(2) The checkrails on the Peco Points are far too far away from the adjacent rail so they don't "check" anything at all!

Try glueing a strip of 10~15 thou styrene (10 though is probably enough for RTR stock) on the inside of each checkrail, feathering the ends so its a smooth transition from original to added bit. This will allow the checkrail to work as it should and actually "check" the wheel, preventing it wandering over far enough to cause the short.

and...

As a quick patch you can also try the following: get some clear nail varnish and paint the frog with it, covering the last few mm of the metal rail - this is where the short actually occurs. It'll probably fix it but will need re-painting every now and again.

Regards

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[John Webb]

QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 29 Dec 2007, 03:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>.... I recently checked a load of Hornby wheelsets on a large variety of recent wagons and no two were the actually the same - and ALL were far too close together!

So... The back to backs of the Hornby Wheelsets are probably too close (If they are all relatively recent releases target = 14.5). This can be adjusted by dropping out the wheelset and twisting/pulling gently.....

There are people who sell 'gauges' for checking the 'back-to-back' measurement of wheel sets.
Try the Double 0 Gauge Association www.doubleogauge.com

I'm sure I've seen others as well - I'll make a further post if I can find them.
Regards,
John Webb

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (John Webb @ 29 Dec 2007, 20:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>There are people who sell 'gauges' for checking the 'back-to-back' measurement of wheel sets.
Try the Double 0 Gauge Association www.doubleogauge.com

I'm sure I've seen others as well - I'll make a further post if I can find them.
Regards,
John Webb

**Yes - I do actually sell them too John, in several optional BTB's depending on track standards being used... but I hesitated to commercialise the issue.

In UK, you'll find Carrs/C&L have them. www.finescale.org.uk


Regards

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[John Webb]

I knew I'd seen something recently on 'back-to-back' and track gauges; it was an article in the January 2008 British Railway Modelling. In part it's a review of some new gauges bought out by Markits. (www.markits.com)
www.mainlytrains.co.uk lists a range of makes and types of gauge. Or you could send Richard a PM if he's closer to you.
Regards,
John Webb

 

[Brian]

Hi Tony
You might like to take a look at my web site where the topic of shorts ocurring on insulated frog points is discussed and the possible cure shown.
My Website - Insulafrog Points