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Hello, As my unitrack layout is getting a bit complex, I decided to drop the "one turnout / one switch" idea to control several turnouts at a time so that one switch now defines a given pathway for a train, thus controlling potentially a fairly large number of turnouts (say from 4 to 10 typically). First, it seems the Kato power supply is a bit short in power and I find that switching simultaneously 6 or more turnouts leads to a non negligble speed drop (which I could already observe with the double crossover that includes 4 turnouts) of trains running on the layout. I intend to get a separate DC supply, probably 12V / 5A to avoid any issue. The reason I am writing this post is because when I use my switches as described above, I find myself in a situation where some turnouts will be controlled by several switches. See, for instance, the example below where I consider two switches : one for the red route and one for the yellow route. Both routes start from the same turnout. Assuming both the yellow and the red switches are connected to the same power supply, when I activate one switch, power will go through the turnouts but also through the yellow switch and vice versa. I found that this seems to short circuit my power supply (not always though). In order to avoid the power coming back through the other switch, I initially thought to use rectifier diodes but - I am quite new at this, I may be missing something... - the inversion of polarity at the exit of the switch seems to make this solution unfeasible. So here is my question : is there any way to control one turnout with several switches connected to the same power supply ? Thank you ! Alain

I got a total of seven Kato 20-210 double crossover on my layout and I realized that I may be doing something wrong with those... Indeed, two of them have died unexpectedly. Considering m overall satisfaction with Kato Unitrack, I am assuming I am doing something wrong... What seems odd is the fact that these two crossovers died in a similar fashion: at some point, there seems to be a short circuit located in one of the four solenoids used for powering each turnouts. Because of these short circuits, other turnouts soon become unresponsive. How did I identify the issue and confirm the short circuit ? Once I realized my double crossover was not working properly (typically following an unexpected derailment !), I opened it and investigated each turnout separately. Removing the faulty solenoid allowed to restore proper operation of the crossover for the three other turnouts. How I typically use my crossovers... These double crossovers are used to connect two tracks that are each powered with a different control box. Before the second double crossover died, I had to use a hammer to nail something close (less than a meter) from it. However, though I realize the vibrations induced by the hammer may be detrimental, I don't see how they could lead to any short circuit in the solenoid... Have you experienced something similar ?

A little excursion on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line this Monday yielded this discovery- a three way switch at the “down” end of Shounai Station. These type of switches are relatively rare due to their expense of construction and maintenance, but Hankyu saw it fit to construct one at this location, possibly to keep conflicting movements to a minimum should a turnback service be required. View from an “up” direction train: From the end of the up platform: Apparently, in addition to this location, there are six other places on the Hankyu system where three way switches are in use. Given that there are only 4 other known locations of this type of switch elsewhere on other railways in the nation, it can be said that Hankyu is the “Mecca” of the three way switch.