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I have two Ross 072 wye's back-to-back, separated by a 10" straight section.  One wye is entered from either direction from an inner main line track.  The other wye controls a loop on a peninsula that leads back to the same inner main line track.  Do both or either wye need to be wired for non-derail, and if so how is that done ?

Mike Miller

 

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Mike,

A rather radical approach to non-derailing Y's, especially used in a loop configuration, is not to use a switch machine at all. Instead, use a simple spring with your Ross switch! I do this on my layout and never had a derailment no matter which way the train is going. Here is an example of a springs in a push configurationIMG_2788

When a train enters the bottom of the Y, it will always go either to the right or left depending on how you permanently position the spring. Say it first goes left. When the train comes around the loop and enters the right side of the Y, it will not derail because the spring will be loose enough to let the wheels pass to the bottom of the Y.  I can provide you videos to show how well this works.

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Last edited by Bruce Brown

Hi Bruce,  your solutions sounds interesting.  I'd like to see the video you reference.  Also, what type of spring didi you use along with whatever I se in that picture ?  You also used a cut tie to brce the end of the spring, correct ?  Since I have 2 wyes, does each usethis spring concept ?  Attached is a copy of my layout. 

Mike

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  • MM V3 10 MTH full

If you use the spring method for the left switch the train will always go around the loop in the same direction.  If you set up for electrical non derailing the train will alternate direction giving a bit of variety.  Depends on what you want.

If you use the spring method, make sure your cars are heavy enough to move the rail.

Last edited by CAPPilot

Here is a video using right-hand switches but it will work just as well with a wye or left hand switch. Using this spring approach, the train will always go around the smaller loop in the same rotation, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you even want more control of train direction on the loops, yet still want derailing protection, then a Tortoise switch machine--that behaves like a compression spring--can be used. I am also using that on a wye and can show you how that works.

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