The wiring is just about finished on the Bay Junction project layout. Managing editor David Popp shows you how to power turnout frogs. On this model railroad we’re using Peco track and turnouts and running trains with Digital Command Control (DCC). David has also installed a Tam Valley Depot Hex Frog Juicer and will describe how this automatic reversing circuit works.
Building Bay Junction part 12
By Angela Cotey | February 19, 2011
| Last updated on January 11, 2021
Watch the Model Railroader staff's video journal about their project model train layout
David,
Great job explaining the wiring to power a frog using the Tam Valley Frog Juicer. Think I may be on the road to recovery with my 'frog stalling' problems as I ordered some Frog Juicers last night and they have been shipped. Reviewing other segments on the 'Thin Branch Line' has been a great resource with MR Video Plus and now the new 'Ask MRVP'. Excellent work MR staff.
Allan
good to see the Bay Junction Switcher doing its first run next stop for this engine over to the Paint Department and Cody will work his magic and paint up the MR&T Fleet
good work David the track is powered time for Cody to bring the engines down for testing Bay Junction is now live and the trains are going down the MR&T
Hex juicer. This is what I have been looking for.
This is the most clear explanation of how to wire a turnouts to DCC and power switching that I have seen. Wiring and power switching of turnouts is a much neglected area. Being a modeller in Spain where the hobby is not well supported MR is always there with the answers.
very informative thanks
Good video needs to explain more on how to operate the switches through the hand controller for beginners like myself.
Sinple solution to a big problem!
Great and helpful video. Can the Hex Frog Juicer be used on Atlas custom turnouts using Caboose Industries manual throws?
If so how are the switches wired?
Thanks for a great video!
I really like that item used for operating multiple frog points. Too bad they did'nt have that item available when I was wiring up my present layout. Had to do it a different way and one could honestly say "DANGER….NOT U.L. APPROVED".
Outstanding, thanks very much for the informative videos they are a great help.
Very interesting. Looking forward to seeing the layout finished.
Have a curved turnout that shorts out a small steam engine> The fog is the culprit and this should solve my problem.
David, Runs very smooth, the juicer is a very nice ascessory, great information to know.
Thanks for explaining how to wire Peco Electrofrogs correctly. The instructions that come with the turnouts are not that easy to understand.
Hi David,
I'm very much enjoying the video series for building the Bay Junction section of the MR&T. I have a couple of questions for you about the Frog Juicers. Why have you selected to use them instead of wiring the frogs to the Tortoise switch machines? I noticed you have a Tortoise installed just above the Frog Juicer. Are not all of the turnouts controlled by Tortoises? Also, from reading the information about the Frog Juicers on Fast Tracks website, these little devices automatically change the polarity of the frog as a locomotive passes over the frog. I'm not sure what the purpose is then of changing the jumpers to have the polarity of the frogs aligned in a switch route. The polarity should automatically change no matter what the route is configured to. Please clarify.
Thanks again, and keep up the great work! This series has been very helpful for us amateur modelers.
Jon Z.
Thank you. This was incredibly helpful and timely. I will be able to put this to use right away.
I built a movable work step based on the description of the one built by Jim Hediger in Bay Junction 3 & 4. My benchwork is 56" high so I built it from 2 x 10 lumber with a 3/4" plywood top. To make it more mobile, I installed 2 fixed casters with 2" wheels at the bottom corners of one end of the step with the wheels facing out and a steel handle at the other end. To move the step, I lift the one end by the handle until the casters at the other end make contact with the floor and then wheel the step around like a wheel barrow. When I have it in position, I lower the handle-end to the floor, the casters at the other end come off the floor and the step is in place for use.
David Popp did a very fine job of explaining on how to wire turnout frogs on the Bay junction project layout to prevent possible stalling of your locos. Keep up the good work Information is a necessary thing in keeping your model railroad running..
Wish we had known about the Hex Frog Juicer before completing the new extension to our club layout.
thanks; good to see the hex juicer in operation, david
Thanks for another great report David. I have enjoyed this series and have always looked forward to the next segment. Lots of helpful hints and ideas.Keep up the great work.
Wayne Woodland
http://www.nottinghamsub.blogspot.com
David:
As always an excellent job on this installment. Great tips on the issue of powering turnouts. I look forward to viewing the next installment!!
Very interesting.I I am a complete novice when it comes to electrical work and find following books with "wiring diagrams" quite difficult to follow. This sort of short clip on specific topics is wonderful. MORE PLEASE. All my turn outs are Peco, though I have what they call insulfrog. Is it possible to wire these so that they have electric frogs as well? Perhaps another clip on that.
LOOKS LIKE THE HEIGHT IS PRETTY HIGH TO GET UNDER WAS WONDERING WHAT THE UNDER HEIGHT IS?
I notice your layout is strangely high up. It looks good from eye level, which is an advantage. Or did you build it with legs this tall for better camera access? The under-table footage is very good, by the way. Excellent views of the benchwork for us to study.