I've just watched Dean Park's November update and at 15:15 there is the view of his tunnel mouth / station approach which looks almost identical to yours except he has the short diamond crossing in exactly that place ! I've never heard him say he has had any issue with it, but you could always ask him...
This is the method that I used, manually switched, which can cause issues if you are not on your toes. Must get around to fitting auto switching one day. One of the biggest problems is older loco’s and stock having wider wheel rims that bridge across the frog rails, that’s why I have decided to move on some loco’s and not bother converting them to DCC. What ever method you use, it’s got to be better than mine where one track has to go into a head shunt to gain access to the helix. Keep up the good work. Bill.
Glad you are going for the sweeping junction away from the station and not just because I was one of those who suggested it! You have enough going on with the station throat already and is a cleaner solution. I would still add a cross-over after the branch joins the outer lower loop so you can get trains from the inner loop onto the branch and thereby the helix etc. Without a crossover, the inner loop is somewhat isolated apart from the crossing at the end of the station which wouldn’t work in the same way.
Hi there, in answer to some of your worries, on my larger old Sandling Junction layout, I had a short cross, and it never failed, I also had 5 long crosses without issues. I employed many curve points on that layout and reused them in the new Sandling Junction Layout. Hope that helps a little, cheers Paul
Hi, I follow your video with great interest, very good and great work! In answer to your concerns on the crossing junction. I use the larger ones and found the best answer is to add some protection to the static frog areas to correct for any shorts. I use a black nail varnish called “concrete” so far I haven’t had to revisit for any further applications. Running great for six years! As to the three way, they are a sod to power but never had a running issue. Just make sure the point is dead flat. Hope that helps a bit? Keep up the great videos.
I you are having any shorting issues in points or crossings, be very aggressive with your back-to-backs. I have a Bachmann Deltic that couldn't through a Peco long point (BullHead) without shorting. I checked the rail gauges throughout, adjusted a little on the outer rails, and still had the problem. Finally, I checked the back-to-back, and some of the axles were "close" but still refused my DCCConnection gauge. With a bit of forcing - and ugly process that - I got all six axles in compliance, and the shorting went away. I have also found that it is absolutely critical that any point MUST be of the same slope across throughout. That means dead level if the approach tracks are level, or carrying exactly the same super-elevation as the approaches. Also, if I were starting over, I would NOT go to bullhead; it is just too touchy to work with, and the commonly available 36" flex track has a sleeper section much too thin to be able to ballast worth a darn. My hidden tracks are all Code 83. and all work just fine.
Personally I would stay away from 3 way points I had nothing but agro with them! Shorting out derailments in the end got rid of them and worked something else out.
I read that model railways have become too expensive, but I built one anyway! I've had no problems with short crossings or 3 way points (code 100, analogue) but the double slips have caused a few issues. I find it ironic that you have a double slip but are concerned about the short crossing and 3 way.
Thanks. I’ve no issues with a 3 way point? I already have one on the layout! With regards the short crossing, I’m only asking as there are several forum discussions where they have caused shorting issues 👍
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I've just watched Dean Park's November update and at 15:15 there is the view of his tunnel mouth / station approach which looks almost identical to yours except he has the short diamond crossing in exactly that place ! I've never heard him say he has had any issue with it, but you could always ask him...
Oh really? I’ll have a look. Thank you 👍
The short crossing should work . Just isolate it completely and give it independent power , switching polarity according to the direction of travel .
This is the method that I used, manually switched, which can cause issues if you are not on your toes. Must get around to fitting auto switching one day.
One of the biggest problems is older loco’s and stock having wider wheel rims that bridge across the frog rails, that’s why I have decided to move on some loco’s and not bother converting them to DCC.
What ever method you use, it’s got to be better than mine where one track has to go into a head shunt to gain access to the helix.
Keep up the good work. Bill.
Thanks Bill, very useful as always 👍
Thank you 👍
I used to be indecisive, but now ? I’m not so sure 🤔
Nice layout!
I know!! 😂
Curved transition after the tunnel looks good🤔
Thank you 😊
Fantastic update cant wait to see the next one 😀
Thanks very much. I just hope it works out ok!! 😂
Glad you are going for the sweeping junction away from the station and not just because I was one of those who suggested it! You have enough going on with the station throat already and is a cleaner solution. I would still add a cross-over after the branch joins the outer lower loop so you can get trains from the inner loop onto the branch and thereby the helix etc. Without a crossover, the inner loop is somewhat isolated apart from the crossing at the end of the station which wouldn’t work in the same way.
Thanks very much for your suggestions. Really helpful 👍
Hi there, in answer to some of your worries, on my larger old Sandling Junction layout, I had a short cross, and it never failed, I also had 5 long crosses without issues. I employed many curve points on that layout and reused them in the new Sandling Junction Layout. Hope that helps a little, cheers Paul
Hi Paul. That’s really good to know. Thank you 👍. Keep up the great work on the new Sandling Junction. Enjoying watching your progress. Cheers, Andy
Hi, I follow your video with great interest, very good and great work! In answer to your concerns on the crossing junction. I use the larger ones and found the best answer is to add some protection to the static frog areas to correct for any shorts. I use a black nail varnish called “concrete” so far I haven’t had to revisit for any further applications. Running great for six years! As to the three way, they are a sod to power but never had a running issue. Just make sure the point is dead flat. Hope that helps a bit?
Keep up the great videos.
Hi. That’s great to know. Thanks very much for taking the time to share your experiences. Really appreciated, Andy 👍
I have two Peco Code 75 3-way asymmetric points powered by Cobalt iP motors, and they have been working faultlessly for about ten years.
Very reassuring. Thank you 👍
great update on layout thanks for share
Thanks Lee 👍
I you are having any shorting issues in points or crossings, be very aggressive with your back-to-backs. I have a Bachmann Deltic that couldn't through a Peco long point (BullHead) without shorting. I checked the rail gauges throughout, adjusted a little on the outer rails, and still had the problem. Finally, I checked the back-to-back, and some of the axles were "close" but still refused my DCCConnection gauge. With a bit of forcing - and ugly process that - I got all six axles in compliance, and the shorting went away.
I have also found that it is absolutely critical that any point MUST be of the same slope across throughout. That means dead level if the approach tracks are level, or carrying exactly the same super-elevation as the approaches.
Also, if I were starting over, I would NOT go to bullhead; it is just too touchy to work with, and the commonly available 36" flex track has a sleeper section much too thin to be able to ballast worth a darn. My hidden tracks are all Code 83. and all work just fine.
That’s really good to know, thank you. I have watched people use the bullhead track and it does seem really fiddly, particularly the tiny fish plates!
Personally, I always love a complex station throat!!! Great layout and I think either option would work well and look great.
Thanks very much 😊
Looks like someone is gonna be busy…. Exciting.
Haha. Thank you 👍
Personally I would stay away from 3 way points I had nothing but agro with them! Shorting out derailments in the end got rid of them and worked something else out.
I agree - they are a pain to deal with.
Thanks you 👍
I have used nail varnish to stop my shorts . It takes a second leave it 20mins and your good to go
Brilliant. Thanks very much for that 👍
Can you remove the right supporting leg whilst you get helix in and then replace it.
Yeah, I have considered that as an option 👍
I read that model railways have become too expensive, but I built one anyway! I've had no problems with short crossings or 3 way points (code 100, analogue) but the double slips have caused a few issues. I find it ironic that you have a double slip but are concerned about the short crossing and 3 way.
Thanks. I’ve no issues with a 3 way point? I already have one on the layout! With regards the short crossing, I’m only asking as there are several forum discussions where they have caused shorting issues 👍
what make is your station overall roof? As my club is looking for one on it's main layout.
Hi. It’s the Peco ‘Overall Roof’ kit 👍
Hi, I actually used a Hornby crossover which seems to be better
Regards John
Really? That’s interesting to know 👍
Three way point could prove unreliable
Thank you 👍