My Post War Lionel train ran well on my layout which I had to take down. It runs well again, until I place the crossing track in the middle, then the train will not run. Can anybody tell me what might be wrong? Ive used 3 different figure 8 crossing track pieces same result, even though it ran when taken down?
Thank you
David C McCollum
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Dave, shoot me an email no contact is on your profile.
My info is on my profile.
Do you have a volt-ohm meter?
Is the problem no power, or a short circuit?
Have you carefully inspected the ends of the 4 straight pieces to ensure that there is no loose metal or a broken insulator that is being moved about when you insert the X ?
Disconnect any power leads to the track. Take the crossing section out. You now have two separate “horse-shoe” segments of track. Using a continuity tester or ohm meter take a look at one segment. Place one probe on the one of the outside rails and one on the center rail. You should have no continuity there. Now keep one probe on the center rail and move the other probe to the other outside rails. Again, you should have no continuity there. Make sure no cars or locos are on the track when you do this. Now repeat these steps on the other detached track segment. If both track segments are good with no shorts on either one then examine the crossing section before putting it back into the layout. Do the same continuity test between outside and center rails. If it is good, then take a look at the table surface itself. Is there anything in the vicinity of the crossing track that could cause it to bind and short? Also as suggested above look at the track pints. Hopefully some of this helps.
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