Watched it again. Is this because of the DCC? 30yrs ago, turn out's were just turn outs. But things have changed exponentially in the intervening decades.
It's because unlike factory-made turnouts, there are no plastic insulators separating the two electrically opposite rails (positive vs negative).So by gapping the rails before the contact points, you are essentially doing the same thing.
you should try using really thin wire that way you wouldn't have to cut the wire into small pieces
metalsmartyrs 1 year ago
All these videos on this section of custom made points is amazing, so much work and so well explained.
Well done, and hope it all works out.
leokimvideo 2 years ago
Gapping the rails electrically isolates them? I've been following this series, but I guess I missed any explanation on gapping.
ModelManTom 2 years ago
Watched it again. Is this because of the DCC? 30yrs ago, turn out's were just turn outs. But things have changed exponentially in the intervening decades.
ModelManTom 2 years ago
It's because unlike factory-made turnouts, there are no plastic insulators separating the two electrically opposite rails (positive vs negative).So by gapping the rails before the contact points, you are essentially doing the same thing.
prorobo 2 years ago
Oh yeah, duh. I wasn't thinking about each rail swapping charges. Cheers.
ModelManTom 2 years ago