short shorts

Very interesting. I wasn't quite 100% clear on the bulb+coating solution - is the goal to use a thin coating with the bulb so the decoder/motor/sound card doesn't lose voltage (and so no sound cut-outs and the engine rolls across the problem point) plus to have the bulb limit current in the presence of the momentary short so the circuit breaker in the power station or booster doesn't trip. 

I'm waiting to see the people who understand electronics jump in - I'm wondering if some of them will have reasons why you "cant" (or shouldn't) do what you successfully did. 

A further question: as I understand it, your solution is to set things up so that you can tolerate short duration shorts without interruption. I wonder if these short-shorts cause any sparking (micro or otherwise) when they occur, and if therefore you get extra wheel pitting or black gunk as a result.

But a very interesting article. I think the title kind of undersold the article - it's more about shorts and avoiding and dealing with them than just wiring up the crossovers. 

Thanks for the effort you put into it and sharing your club's experience for the rest of us.

New Double Crossover

Thanks for the detail.  It is much appreciated.

I'm currently rehabbing my layout with plans to add a Walthers Code 83 double crossover if it ever gets delivered. It's on backorder and the delivery date keeps getting pushed back.  While the double crossover will enhance the operability of the rehab, a single crossover would meet my minimum requirement.

I'll come back to your article if I go ahead with the double crossover and let you know my experience.

Thanks again,

Paul

good electrical info

The crossover diamonds look cool, but it's good to be aware of the complications.  The solutions described are informative and possibly applicable to other trackwork.