Happy New Year to all,

In the last year I have built a new track with amonst others three Peco #6 curved Insulfrog turnouts.  It all works well with diesel type DCC loco's.  for Xmas my son received his first steam loco with sound.  The loco however stalls at two of the curved frogs and starts again maybe a second later.  The loco will go thru the turnout tender first in either direction without any problems.  My system is DCC with a Digitrax Zepher Command and the new steam loco is our first sound item.
On examination of the wipers I noticed that the second to front set of wheels were not touching the wheels so I followed Jim Banners tutorial posted in Feb 2007 and tried to tease the wipers to touch the wheels. Jim's tutorial is excellent however, my fingers are  still in their apprenticeship phase.  I think I made it worse and now another Atlas #6 (isolated frog type ) turnout is involved with the same symtoms intermittingly.
It is hard to believe that all the wheels need to be touching over a 3/8" short frog. Do I need to order another underframe with the wipers (I actually don't believe that I made the wipers worse I know I did) or should I perserver to get all wipers touching as the cure? 

We added some reversing Interlock switches a month ago and made a simple control panel to operate them.  The idea to build further to this project with signal masts on the layout with a very simple wiring method was attempted.  It turned out very well. 

The lights signals modelled are based on UP information that I found on the internet and are a partial CTC operation as I have no flashing lights nor yellow lights.   

The cost per signal mast differs a little depending on the # of lights and heads.  Average was less than $8 each and I have enough stuff to make 20 more if I get some more heads.

Attached are some pic's, hope you like them.





I have added some links on 'how to stuff' that will explain everything.  If anybody wants to try this I can send power points that you can modify for your application.  Please email me privately.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide1.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide2.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide3.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide4.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide5.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/ControlPanel.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/ResistorTerminal.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Signalterminal2.jpg

I want to make a simple control panel to control a Peco turnout and slip using 3 Peco PL-10 twin solenniod switch m/c's and 3 spst toggle switches.
I plan to throw two motors at once. I have a capacitor-discharge power unit wired currently so two motors should not be an issue. I think that I can wire jumpers to the coils only as per the schematic but I am an optimist by nature.

I have attached (I hope) a jpeg sketch sketch of what i want to do and how i intend to do it.

Question is will it work safely or will it fry something?

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/bbrad20/Slide3.jpg

I am asking my first question today but have been a steady reader and know that many of you can assist me if I can word my question correctly.

(Note added 9-19-07 where I wrote polarity in following paragraph think phase as it is DCC not DC).

Here goes, I am planning to add two reversing segments to my current track that currently has none. My current layout is DCC, has a DCS50 command station/booster and the track is wired as 2 rail not common rail.   I am planning to purchase a Digitrax PM42 for the two reversing segments. I can’t use a clean ‘loop configuration or a simple short reversing segment without part of the main run. I am unclear on how the segments need to be isolated for my particular application. I have read a lot of great information on the internet and the following information I have found and think I understand of what happens with DCC current except for when the train leaves the isolated section as follows:
1.   When an engine enters the isolated section, the polarity may be matched or mismatched. If the polarity is matched, nothing special happens.
2.   If the polarity is mismatched, both booster and reversing module think that they are shorted and both shut down for a few milliseconds.
3.   The regular booster comes back on line with the same polarity as before.
4.   The auto reversing module guesses that the problem might have been a reversing episode and comes back on with reversed polarity.
5.   Now the boosters match and the train proceeds without even a flicker of the headlights.
6.   If it was a real short circuit, the boosters will continue to retry applying power for a short time and shutting down again until the short clears. The autoreversing module will be switching polarity every time it retries.
7.   The same thing will happen as the train leaves the isolated section.

Finally here is where I need help; as both my reversing segments are similar I will only discuss one.  If I isolate/gap part of the main run (isolate at both ends) with the branch (isolate at turnout end) in my reversing segment, will a train passing through the main run isolated section not short out then it leaves, as per my understanding of points 1 thru 7?  In other words does the reverser module change the phase regardless of the entering phase so will short as the train leaves or not?
I hope this is clear without diagrams.