Choosing points

[PhilK]

Recently retitred and returning to the hobby. Designing my layout currently and need to choose a range of points, crossings and turnouts. I have read on forums about another manufacturer's products and the differences / benefits between Insulfrog and Electrofrog points. What type are Hornby points please and how simple are they to wire up in multiple etc. The Electrofrog types seem quite electrically complicated to me, with my limited electrical knowldege. Any help and guidance would be very much appreciated before I launch into buying any items.

[Chrissaf]

All Hornby points are Insulfrogs, which means that they are simplistic with minimal wiring requirements.

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PECO Electrofrogs are only available in SL (StreamLine) format, which means that their geometry is completely different to Hornby or PECO ST (SetTrack) points.

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SL geometry is based upon 50mm track centre spacing whereas Hornby and PECO ST points are based on 67mm track centre spacing, which means that 50mm spacing requires much gentler curves to prevent rolling stock overhangs from colliding. The minimum PECO SL radius on the curves is 18" (457mm) which equates to between Hornby Radius 2 (438mm) & Radius 3 (505mm). However, the PECO recommended minimum for PECO SL track spacing is 24" (610mm) which is larger than Hornby Radius 4 at 572mm.

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It is possible to use PECO SL (50mm spacing) points and yet maintain 67mm spacing for a smaller baseboard with tighter than 24" curves, but this requires straight track lengths of 79mm to be placed between facing points at cross-overs, which means that more space lengthwise on the baseboard is required to accommodate the additional straights.

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Note that the curves on PECO SL points are also gentler than Hornby points, which means that the SL points are longer than Hornby ones, this also increases the space needed on a smaller baseboard.

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PECO Electrofrog points out of the box do not require any modification to the points themselves, but they do require 'Insulated Rail Joiners' [ IRJs ] to be fitted to the rails that connect to the metal frog, which means that additional track power feeds to other parts of the track layout might be required (subject to exact layout design) to cater for the track power dead spots created by the IRJs.

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However to get the real benefit of using Electrofrog points which is improved reliability of short wheel base locos running at very slow speeds and reduced risk of transient short circuits occurring, it is highly desirable to perform the PECO documented modifications to implement full frog power switching, which means that you then need to use a point operating motor that has additional electrical switching contacts built into (or onto) them. Soldering is ideally also required, something that is not necessarily needed when using Insulfrog points.

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The slightly increased complexity of full frog power switching might be an issue for users who see electrickery as a magic black art. But the principle of it is fairly simple if one can wield a Soldering iron and knows how to use it. Some will say that a Soldering iron is not required, but in my view soldering is the better installation option.

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This clickable link demonstrates in animation form how Electrofrog points function with and without 'full frog switching' implemented. On the page, click the electrical switch icons to see the animation effect. Note that the 'full frog power switching' animation further down the page looks more complicated than it really is, because the graphic includes all the common power supply connections, that the earlier animations have left out.

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This is a very long reply, please do not use the 'Blue Button with White Arrow' to try and reply ... see TIP below

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[PhilK]

Chris,

Tremendous response, great explanation and easily understood. This will now make it so much easier for me to progress with my railway. many thanks.