More Fun With Non-Derailing Turnouts

One of the goals for my redesigned FUN Lines layout was to provide plenty of action with simple controls for my twin 7 year old boys. The inside loop of the layout features a common O27 track layout in a combination figure-8 / oval. This provides a great deal of operating possibilities in a small area with the option of using either of two reverse loops, a 90 degree crossing, and the option of simply running laps on the outside oval. However, when a simple wiring scheme is added to Lionel's non-derailing switch feature a new level of interest is possible with automatic, hands-free dispatching over the different routes.

Electronic Magic

As described in an earlier post (How Non-Derailing Turnouts Work) Lionel's O27 turnouts from the #1122 of 1952 through the MPC era's #5121 and #5122 turnouts all feature an internally-wired non-derailing feature. The wheels of the train itself become part of the electrical circuit to throw the points of the turnout in the direction of the oncoming train. What many operators do not realize, however, is that this same mechanism can be used to operate additional electrical circuits as well.

In this case, I have run two wires between the turnouts at the right side of the layout so that the binding post for the curved leg of one turnout is wired to the binding post for the straight leg of the opposite turnout. The result is that when a train engages the non-derailing feature of one of the turnouts the second turnout throws in the opposite direction at the same time. This works even though the two turnouts are from different eras of Lionel production (a #1122 of the Postwar era and a #5122 of the MPC era). The remaining turnouts are left alone. This causes the train to circumnavigate the layout in a complex pattern of in-and-out of the figure 8 while repeatedly reversing direction. While the pattern does repeat, it takes the casual viewer some time to recognize the pattern and so the train seems to be changing paths at will!

Which Way Will It Go?

Observe the video and notice how the train changes routes automatically. All of this action takes place with NO SWITCH CONTROLLERS wired to the turnouts. Only the automatic non-derail and the two wires previously described are used!

If you want the ability to turn the automatic function off at will simply add a DPDT (double pole, double throw) switch into the circuit between the two connected turnouts. 

Hopefully this will inspire you to create other new and exciting options for your layout. 

Happy Railroading!

Redesigning the FUN Lines

My rebuild of the FUN Lines (Fantasia, Utopia and Northern) O27 layout was about two-thirds complete when I came to a terrible conclusion: The redesign was all wrong for my needs. Actually, the redesigned track plan fit my goals for the future of my railroad perfectly. The problem was in satisfying modeling needs of my twin 7 year-old boys. I had attempted to quench their growing train desires with a 4' x 4' layout of their own, thus leaving the "big layout" to Dad and his plans - or so I thought - but as I watched them yearn to work and play with the FUN Lines more and more, I realized that a new design was in order - one that met THEIR needs instead of mine.

Setting Goals

One key to any successful model railroad is to start with the end in mind. One should determine as much as possible beforehand the type of railroad one intends to build. Will it be a "Tinplate" toy train layout, a modern scale-inspired "Hi Rail" layout, or something in between? Will it feature mainly loop running or imitate prototype operations? What type of track and power supplies should be used? What is the budget? All of these are important questions to ask before the first lumber is cut and the first screw is turned.

To make the FUN Lines more appropriate for my boys the following goals were set:

• Lower the table from 40" to 24" to be more child-friendly. A lower table means shorter arms can reach trains and accessories anywhere on the board. It also means shorter and less damaging falls for any equipment that might find itself leaving the table involuntarily.
• Simple track plan with lots of action.
• Mostly loop running with only a siding or two.
• Independent track loops with simple wiring and control schemes.
• Room on the table to incorporate a Carrera Go! slot car set and a K'nex roller coaster as well for more visual appeal. Our home is the gathering place for most of the kids in our neighborhood. I wanted a train/car/toy table that could entertain 4 or more little one simultaneously.
• Budget is tight, so recycle as much of existing benchwork as possible.

Construction Begins

The existing benchwork consisted of the "big layout" which utilized two 4' x 8' plywood sheets connected in an "L" shape with an extra 18" x 48" shelf attached to one side and a separate 4' x 4' table. The first step was to detach all sections from one another. The small table had 24" legs so I then cut the legs of the large layout down from their 40" height to match the smaller table. I reattached to original twin 4' x 8' tables in their "L" configuration and added the 4' x 4' section to one end, giving each side of the "L" dimensions of 4' x 12'. Meanwhile, I reinforced the entire perimeter with 2" x 4" x 12' studs because I anticipated the new 24" high table would be a tempting surface upon which to lean, stand or crawl. Also, the old 4' x 8' tables were originally constructed as a "temporary" layout more than 15 years ago and utilized only 1" x 3" and 1" x 4" framing which had begun to sag after years of use.

Next I temporarily set up the Carrera Go! slot car track. At its widest the slot car track is nearly 5' wide so I determined the proper location and reattached the "shelf" section to accommodate the slot cars. Then I removed the slot car track from the table.

Surface Prep

Now I had a hodge-podge of tables of varying ages and surfaces. One was only a few weeks old while two had seen the construction, destruction and rebuilding of nearly a dozen railroads over a decade and a half and featured remnants of several layers of scenery. To even things out I applied a coat of latex paint over the surface of all tables. With a limited budget I combined the remains of several household painting projects into one gallon. The resulting color is a bit more of a mint green that I desired, but this will all eventually be covered by other scenery.

Laying Track

I began with the slot car set. The Carrera Go! cars are scaled at roughly 1/48, so they work well with O scale trains. I reassembled the track, cleaned and vacuumed it thoroughly, and tested all electrical connections. This quickly gave me a means of occupying two boys while I continued work on the railroad portion of the layout. Also, I measured and located a suitable location for the K'nex roller coaster which also scales out to roughly 1/48 and provides added activity to the layout.

The inner loop plan of the redesigned FUN Lines.
Plan made using Anyrail software.

For the train area I envisioned two independent track loops. The inner loop consists of O27 curves and turnouts making a "figure eight" crossing with the turnouts providing the option of staying exclusively on the outside oval. One of the inner figure eight tracks features a turnout leading to twin industrial spurs. The main feature of this loop is the center 90 degree crossing - always a hit with the kids - which gives the engineer the thrill of watching the locomotive nearly hit the caboose of the train as it meets on the crossing. Also, the outside turnouts serve as double reverse loops so that train direction may be reversed at will. I also plan to wire some of the Lionel turnouts so that the non-derailing feature of the turnouts will produce a complex automatic train routing circuit.

The 90 degree crossing requires that I abandon my usual practice of using only Marx turnouts on the layout because, while I have figured a means of modifying Marx turnouts to accommodate Lionel electrical pickups, Marx crossings are totally incompatible with Lionel pickups and Lionel crossings are incompatible with Marx "fat wheel" locomotives. Therefore, I am using Lionel turnouts on the inner loop and my small fleet of incompatible locomotives are relegated to the outside loop only.

On previous layouts I had always utilized O42 curves for both their aesthetic value and the ability to "crank up" the speed of trains with less fear of derailment. However, to add some operating interest to the outer loop I have included a long passing siding so that the operator may easily switch between two trains on the loop. The necessary turnouts for this plan precluded the use of O42 curves in favor of Marx O34 curves on one end of the loop and O27 curves on the opposite end as the loop must detour around the end of the K'nex roller coaster. Still, by using only smaller O27 locomotives and cars most problems associated with tighter curves will be avoided.

Each loop has a separate control panel with a conventional power pack and necessary turnout controllers. The outer loop will use Atlas electrical controls to switch power between the siding and the main line.

As of this time, the inner loop is complete and basically operational, although I have not added the remote turnout controls yet. Track is laid for the outer loop but it is not yet wired.

Eventually, operating accessories such as the classic Lionel cattle car, milk car and operating dump cars will be added. In the mean time, the boys are having fun with the cars and trains, and also with the various Hot Wheels and other vehicles delivering freight from the trains to various points on the layout. So far, the plan for the kids' layout seems to be a success!

- Happy Railroading!

How Non-Derailing Turnouts Work

One of the advantages of trains that use a three-rail track system is the ability to use the third rail in clever electrical circuits. Under normal circumstances the center rail is used as the "hot" power of the electric train circuit while both outer rails serve as the "common" side of the circuit. However, when one of the outside rails is electrically isolated from the other it may be used as an electrical switch when the metal wheels of locomotives and cars complete an electrical connection to the isolated rail. A common use of this feature is the non-derailing turnout.

Finding Common Ground

A Lionel service diagram showing the internal wiring of
a #1122-E turnout.

Since the introduction of the #1122 turnout in 1952, all Lionel O27 remote turnouts have been pre-wired for non-derailing operation, and it was a feature in Lionel's Standard O turnouts long before then. The wiring schematic as seen to the left is still the standard in today's Lionel remote turnouts. The two outside rails serve as the common "ground" of the track circuit. The inside rails however are electrically isolated by the frog on one end and by an insulated fibre track pin on the other. 

When the metal wheels of a car or locomotive complete the circuit from the outside rail to the insulated inside rail the turnout throws in the direction of the train to avoid a possible derailment. This operation works only for trailing point maneuvers [from diverging route to single route]. Since these turnouts are wired to receive power directly from the track this operation occurs even when no turnout controller is present. One should be certain that a train does not sit for long periods of time on these activation rails as continuous use may burn out the switch motor.

Other Uses

In addition to the safety of avoiding unnecessary derailments, the electrical properties of non-derailing turnouts can be used for other purposes as well. In the example on the left two turnouts are wired together so that they throw simultaneously either with a switch controller or by train activation by connecting the electrical posts controlling switch motor movement to one another. 

If connected together identically, throwing one turnout will result in identical motion from the other turnout. In this scenario one can select either Track A or Track B by simply throwing one turnout and the other will snap to a safe exit automatically.

For a bit more excitement the turnouts can be connected opposite one another so that when one turnout throws straight the other goes to curve. Looking at the diagram above, a train traveling from the top of the track layout reaches a curved turnout at the right side of Track A. Initially the passing of the train activates the opposite switch to throw straight for Track B. However the arrival of the train at the left turnout throws it safely back to the train on Track A and simultaneously throws the right switch to straight toward Track B. After completing the loop the train now finds the right turnout thrown towards Track B and its exit on the left side returns the right turnout to Track A for the next loop. In this way the train continuously and automatically switches between the two options on each loop.

Once this concept is understood it may be used for a variety of purposed in various track designs. The uses are limited only by your imagination! Layout visitors will be astonished at how the train automatically changes routes with no operator input. 

Happy Railroading!

O27 Tubular Turnout Roundup

If, like me, you choose to use O27 profile tubular track for your model railroad there are several styles of turnouts (switches) available. While none of these is currently in production, most are easy to find at train shows, online auctions and hobby shops that deal in used and collectible trains. Some feature automatic non-derailing or lighted switch-position indicators. Some run on transformer power while others utilize track power. Some are compatible with nearly all eras and manufacturers while others are strictly for post-WWII Lionel-style locomotives. Below is a short roundup of turnouts you are likely to find for your tubular track layout.

Note: According to sources at Lionel, the company has not permanently discontinued production of tubular track. The company feels, however, that the current supply of tubular track is sufficient to meet demand and they have therefore ceased production of new stock until inventory levels require new production. Lionel intends to resume production of tubular track as needed at a later date.

Lionel

Pictured at left is a typical Lionel manual turnout from the 1970's. The basic design of this turnout was the same from the beginning of the Postwar era to current production. The main differences from one model to another is the mechanism housing (upper left in the photo). If this was a remote turnout the switch motor housing would occupy the smooth area seen at the top of this photo.

Most Postwar remote turnouts have lighted position indicators, either a rotating lantern-type (such as the #1122 and 1122-E) or red and green lights on the switch motor housing (such as #1121). MPC-era turnouts feature a position indicator that is designed to look like a dwarf signal, but it is unlighted. Also, most Postwar turnouts came with lighted position indicators on the switch controllers as well. Some MPC turnouts have this feature as well but others had this feature removed as a cost-saving action.

Lionel's remote O27 turnouts are designed to run on track power. This makes wiring easier, but the turnouts may not throw completely if the train is running at slower speeds and lower power. They may be modified to operate on transformer power if desired but this requires disassembling and rewiring the turnout. The nicest feature on Lionel's remote O27 turnouts is the anti-derailing feature that is pre-wired into the switch (except Postwar #1121) that helps prevent a train from running through a turnout that is thrown against it.

Locomotives and rolling stock generally run smoothly through these turnouts unless the locomotives are of the "fat wheel" design often used by Marx and in many Prewar Lionel (pre-1942) locomotives. These types will not run though them whatsoever (See The 5-Minute Marx Switch Fix for more info). Train cars do have a tendency to derail on these turnouts when a train is backing, especially when the train is long or when traveling at higher speeds.

These turnouts and their Postwar cousins are very easy to find and the remote versions can generally be found in good condition for $15 or less. Expect to pay a bit more for those with lights, original boxes or if they have their original controllers. Manual versions can generally be obtained for as little as $5. Lionel also made an O42 version of these turnouts, but these can be difficult to find.

Overall, Lionel's O27 turnouts are an excellent choice for tubular track layouts unless you wish to operate certain Marx or Prewar locomotives on your layout.

K-Line

A K-Line O27 remote turnout

K-Line turnouts include many premium features usually associated with O gauge profile turnouts such as lighted switch position indicators, pre-wired anti-derailing, and the choice of transformer or track power without the need to disassemble the turnout. Also, when properly wired the K-Line switch controller itself also provides lit red or green switch position indication. These turnouts are available as manual or remote in both O27 and O42 configurations. However, production of these turnouts was discontinued when Lionel acquired K-Line's assets and they therefore had a relatively short production life and can be more difficult to locate than the other turnouts described here.

Locations of guardrails (red) and "ramps" (yellow) on K-Line
turnouts.

A highly unusual feature of K-Line turnouts is a design that allows both modern locomotives and, to a lesser extent, older Marx and other "fat wheel" locomotives to pass through. On each route of the turnout the outermost rail features a standard guardrail to prevent train wheels from derailing on the rail gap near the "frog" of the turnout. The inside rail, near the frog, features a "ramp" design that allows "fat wheel" locomotives to pass as well, provided that the "fat" geared wheel is on the ramp side of the turnout. Thus, with a carefully designed layout a Marx or Prewar locomotive can travel around your layout, but only in one particular direction.

The downside of this ramp system is that it can make for a bumpy ride for all locomotives and cars as they pass through the turnout and over the ramp. I have not found this to be a frequent cause of derailments, but it can be visually distracting to see cars rock and bump through the turnout and heavy diecast locomotives often pass with a discernible "thud". Also, just as with Lionel turnouts, trains have a tendency to derail when backing up through these turnouts especially when traveling at faster speeds.

In short, if you desire premium electrical features and don't mind the bumpy ride, K-Line turnouts can be worth the hunt for O27 operators.

Marx Metal

A typical Marx manual metal turnout.

Marx manufactured two basic types of O27 tubular turnouts. Of the two, the metal design is not only more common but also the more functional design. These metal turnouts are found in a number of color variations, usually with black or aluminum colored bases. The motor housings for remote turnouts usually come in black or red. A less common version of the remote turnout features a lighted motor housing with red and green switch position indication.

Unlike all of the other turnouts listed here, these Marx turnouts do not have movable switch "points" but instead a large portion of the rails swivels from side to side. This not only allows all wheel types to pass, including the "fat wheel" type, but makes passage through the turnout as smooth as passing over any standard track section. Some non-Marx locomotives and lighted cars have difficulty passing through these turnouts as designed, but a simple modification allows virtually all makes of locomotives and rolling stock to pass through problem-free (see The 5 Minute Marx Switch Fix).

Marx turnouts may be wired for either track power or transformer power, but they operate best on constant transformer power. Also, Marx turnouts are not pre-wired for non-derailing operation, but this may be easily added by the operator using insulated rail pickups. Other than the lighted versions, Marx remote turnouts do not feature a switch position indicator.

In short, Marx metal turnouts are no-frills, but they are inexpensive, durable, and can be made compatible with nearly all locomotives and cars.

Marx Plastic

A Marx plastic O27 turnout.

The other Marx turnout you may find is the plastic version. Unlike their metal counterparts, these turnouts use movable points like prototype turnouts. They lack traditional guardrails but feature a special spring-loaded attachment that both serves as a device to help keep wheel flanges from derailing on the gaps in the rails in the frog and also allows "fat wheel" locomotives to pass by dropping out of the way of the geared wheels when they pass.

Unfortunately, while the switches do an admirable job of working with the "fat wheel" locomotives, the spring-loaded sections are a poor substitute for real guardrails and many locomotives and cars - especially larger diecast locomotives - will derail on these turnouts frequently. These switches work best when trains travel through them in the "trailing point" direction - meaning from one of the two diverging routes toward the single route. When traveling through the opposite "facing point" direction they are prone to derailments on the open frog.

The video on the left shows the operation of the spring-loaded attachments on the turnout. One attachment has been removed for clarity on the video. 

In short, while these turnouts are inexpensive and are also available in O34 variants, they are not a good choice for most operators as their design, while innovative, makes the prone to derailments.

Happy Railroading!

 

Re-Construction Update on the FUN Lines

As many of you have noticed in my recent videos, my model railroad the FUN Lines (Fantasia, Utopia and Northern) is undergoing a remodel. Here's a little bit about my layout and future plans.

Layout Design

The overall footprint of the FUN Lines is a 12' x 8' "L" shape. In fact, it is constructed of two 4' x 8' sections with a small 2' x 4' outcropping. My current effort is actually the fifth layout to occupy this benchwork - in three different buildings - over the past eighteen years. It began life as a Christmas display in a retail store.

There are currently two main lines, with a third planned. The outside main follows the perimeter of the benchwork and features O42 (42" diameter) minimum curves. The inside main is a simple oval with a diagonal reversing line featuring a mix of O27 (27" diameter) and O34 (34" diameter) curves. The O34 curves were made by Marx in the 1950's-1960's. Several industrial spurs are planned on this inner loop. These two loops are connected with two sets of crossovers to allow trains to move back and forth between them.

The third line - not yet constructed - will begin as a spur off of the middle loop. It will then loop around the "L" shaped portion of the layout and climb up to an upper line, crossing over the middle oval via a Lionel drawbridge from the 1970's. This upper line will be a loop-to-loop design featuring a mix of O27 and O42 curves.

Track Choices

There are many wonderful and realistic track systems available from today's manufacturers and the modeler is faced with the dilemma of this choice. My choice was to avoid them all and stick with O27 profile tubular track. Why? First it was an inexpensive choice because I already had lots of it on hand. I have accumulated both Postwar (1946-1969) Lionel pieces, Lionel MPC (1970-1986) pieces, Marx and even K-Line tubular track. All of them work interchangeably, although some Marx straight pieces measure 10" in length instead of the customary 8 1/2" of the other brands. Also, replacement tubular track may be found inexpensively at almost any train show or meet, and even on eBay (but be careful of shipping costs).

I use O27 profile track as opposed to traditional O31 "O Gauge" track because I like the smaller rail height, which I think is more realistic, and because it is cheaper and more abundant than the larger-railed standard O31 track. I say "O27 profile" because while the standard curve diameter is 27", track with this rail type is also available in 34", 42", 54" and even 72" diameter pieces. These larger radii are becoming more difficult to find, however.

Turnouts (Switches)

The area where my railroad deviates most from common practice is my choice of turnouts (or switches, as they are commonly called). I use Marx old-style metal O27 turnouts thoughout my layout. First, I choose them for compatibility with other trains. All Marx trains and nearly all Lionel and other manufacturers will run though Marx turnouts without major issues - and the minor issues can be fixed with a 5-minute modification. Many believe that Lionel locomotives absolutely will not run through Marx switches - this is FALSE. My Lionel trains do it every time I operate my layout. However, most Marx and some prewar Lionel and American Flyer O gauge trains will NOT run through Lionel turnouts or those of other modern production.

Second, I find trains run over the frogless Marx design with fewer bumps, bangs and derailments than with Lionel and other modern turnouts. Modern turnouts have gaps in the rails that are protected by guardrails, but these gaps are opportunities for wayward cars to derail - especially when backing or at extreme speeds.

Third, these old Marx switches are a great bargain. They are durable, reliable and cheap. I often find powered turnouts for as little as $10 a pair.

A note of caution: I use the Marx metal switch design - NOT THE PLASTIC. I have found the later production Marx plastic turnouts to be unreliable for use with Lionel and other trains.

More To Come...