Kato crossings

[Meddyliol]

I use Kato track and cannot quite understand how to use the Kato 20-300 or 20-301 crossings. I am probably thick or something. I have looked everywhere to see a sample layout with the crossing(s) in use. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brian

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Is that N scale?
Check for videos on YouTube.

 

[Meddyliol]

It is N gauge yes. As I said, I have looked everywhere and found nothing.

 

[JeffH]

You're referring to the 15 degree crossings, correct? Interesting that they have one product for left crossing and one for right crossing. I wonder why the piece isn't just a symmetrical X shape? Why different crossing for left versus right if it's just a 15 degree crossing?

 

[JeffH]

I found this online. It seems these are designed such that the crossing diagonal piece is slightly longer than the straight-through piece. This is so the piece has the same overall length when measured along the "main line," if you will. You can visualize that in the second screen shot.

 

[Meddyliol]

You're referring to the 15 degree crossings, correct? Interesting that they have one product for left crossing and one for right crossing. I wonder why the piece isn't just a symmetrical X shape? Why different crossing for left versus right if it's just a 15 degree crossing?

I totally agree

 

[Meddyliol]

Thank you JeffH, that explains a lot. Why couldn't I have found that?

 

[JeffH]

I got lucky with a google search, LOL! I learned something... never realized that these were designed to keep overall length the same by having teh diagonal piece slightly longer then the straight-thru piece.

 

[Meddyliol]

Looks like we all learned something from this LOL

 

[exvette]

Let's call the top track #1, the middle track #2, and the bottom track #3. And lets say tracks #1 and #3 have the top rail as positive and track #2 has the bottom rail as positive. If I use the 15 degree crossing to cross track #2 going from track #3 to track #1, do I have to install any wiring to isolate track #2?

 

[JeffH]

Let's call the top track #1, the middle track #2, and the bottom track #3. And lets say tracks #1 and #3 have the top rail as positive and track #2 has the bottom rail as positive. If I use the 15 degree crossing to cross track #2 going from track #3 to track #1, do I have to install any wiring to isolate track #2?

I don't believe so. I believe they are isolated sets of tracks

 

[exvette]

I don't believe so. I believe they are isolated sets of tracks

thanks

 

[Rico]

I just finished looking at these crossings, this thread makes it clear as mud…

Crossing conundrum

I’m hoping someone can help me wrap my head around this. Kato #20-300 and #20-301 15 degree crossings are listed as left and right. Does tilting the crossing one way or 'tuther not make it left or right? Is there something I’m missing with the joiners maybe? Is 1500 hours on a Sunday too early...

modelrailroadforums.com

 

[dgrafix]

I wondered too why they need a left and right... I mean cant you just tilt the same thing 15 deg and be happy? Aparently not..
As i uderstand it is about the way the power is isolated right?
Back in the day anything like this would be fully isolated iirc. you would need to cross feed it yourself. (grumble)

Edit oh i see now that is has nothing to do with power routing or anything like that, Jeff H's post shows exactly why a right wont work as a left or right in wrong place.
I'll.. just... get... my coat.