Using a back-to-back gauge for your model railway ensures that the wheels on your rolling stock are spaced correctly...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How do I use a back to back gauge?Read more -
What is a poly-cap?Read moreA poly-cap is a type of plastic cap often used in model-making kits, especially for assembling figurines or model...
-
What is Graham Farish?Read moreGraham Farish is a name you’re likely to come across if you're interested in British model railways, especially in...
-
When did semaphore signals stop being used in the UK?Read moreSemaphore signals, those distinctive mechanical arms that once graced railway lines across the UK, were largely...
-
What is Kato track?Read moreKato track is a popular choice in the world of model railways, known for its quality, ease of use and versatility. If...
What is a split chassis?
Traditional model railway locomotives transfer power from track to motor via wires. However, a split chassis locomotive works in a different way.
A traditional model railway locomotive picks up its power from the track through its metal wheels. Those wheels have fine brass pick ups gently rubbing against either the back of them or the axle to further transfer power to a set of wires that feeds a motor. Power is then returned to the opposite rail in a similar way to complete the circuit.
The principles of a split chassis locomotives are the same as far as the power entering on one side and exiting on the other with some motor action somewhere in between. The difference is in the absence of any wires.
A split chassis locomotive will pick up power through the wheels as usual but then transfer it via its axle to one half of a split metal chassis. The motor makes contact with the chassis through contact springs and completes the circuit be replicating this action on the other half of the chassis. The two halves of the chassis are isolated from each other using nylon bushes to prevent a short circuit.
In principle, there's nothing wrong with a split chassis design but converting one to DCC will involve a little more work as there are no wires to splice into. Instead, modellers are required to isolate the contact springs between motor and chassis. Once the motor is successfully isolated, wires can be installed to connect the chassis to a decoder and the decoder to the motor to complete the circuit.
Posted in: Rolling stock
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Ruby Series 6fn Pro DCC Decoder 8 Pin
Price: £ 37.50Ruby Series 6 functions Pro DCC Decoder 8 Pin The DCC94 is a large 8 pin...
Zen Black Decoder: Mini 8 Pin Harness 4 Function
Price: £ 29.95Zen Black Decoder: Mini 8 Pin Harness 4 Function
Zen Blue+ Decoder: NEM651 6-Pin Direct - 2...
Price: £ 29.95Zen Blue+ Decoder: NEM651 6-Pin Direct - 2 Functions
Related posts
-
How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This... - Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are tension lock couplings?Tension lock couplings are the standard couplings for model trains in the UK. These are the ones we all know from...
- How do I test the width between the wheels of my engines?The best way to check the wheels of your locomotives is to use a tool called a back to back gauge. They are...
- How do I clean the wheels of my engine?One easy way is to get yourself a Peco cleaning kit containing a wire brush, wheel scraper, foam cradle and oil. The...