A month before Christmas an experienced layout builder visited my layout and strongly suggested I install a double slip switch in an area that had 4 switches, one after the other.
There was no question that such a move would greatly improve the look and ultimate operation of the layout in this area
I had read the varying opinions about double slips. Even had been told by a long time HO railroader that it was stupid to even consider double slip switches. Went to the DCC site and read how one would need to re-wire a double slip to reduce the problems.
And nothing got done. People came for Christmas parties and the modelers and I talked about double slip switches, I went to season parties and talked about double slip switch issues if modelers were present, and I didn't get anything done.
Finally before New Years I took out the four turnouts and started to re-wire the double slip for DCC. It took about 3 hours. Like a lot of jobs had I known at the beginning what I learned during the job it would have been a piece of cake.
Tonight I installed the double switch, added the extra track feeds, finished the main power bus and got ready for a test. Using a GP30 P2K and two cars I first pushed the cars through the double a low speed. Then two passes at two faster speeds. Everything stayed on track and nothing stopped due to power hole. I think I will do more testing just to make sure its all OK. I need to put a decoder in my 0-6-0 and run it through because it has a little less clearance.
So far I think this is going to be OK, but each time I run a train the ghosts of past comments sit on my shoulder and say - "See We Told You"
There was no question that such a move would greatly improve the look and ultimate operation of the layout in this area
I had read the varying opinions about double slips. Even had been told by a long time HO railroader that it was stupid to even consider double slip switches. Went to the DCC site and read how one would need to re-wire a double slip to reduce the problems.
And nothing got done. People came for Christmas parties and the modelers and I talked about double slip switches, I went to season parties and talked about double slip switch issues if modelers were present, and I didn't get anything done.
Finally before New Years I took out the four turnouts and started to re-wire the double slip for DCC. It took about 3 hours. Like a lot of jobs had I known at the beginning what I learned during the job it would have been a piece of cake.
Tonight I installed the double switch, added the extra track feeds, finished the main power bus and got ready for a test. Using a GP30 P2K and two cars I first pushed the cars through the double a low speed. Then two passes at two faster speeds. Everything stayed on track and nothing stopped due to power hole. I think I will do more testing just to make sure its all OK. I need to put a decoder in my 0-6-0 and run it through because it has a little less clearance.
So far I think this is going to be OK, but each time I run a train the ghosts of past comments sit on my shoulder and say - "See We Told You"