Insulated Joints help Operation

Wiring the turnouts up so they don’t route power helps the locos get better contact and requires less maintenance.

From Miltonburg Branch Subdivision

I soldered brass wire from the main line to the  spur track and then ballasted over them. This means that no matter how the points are lined the loco still receives power. That creates a prototypical problem “running through switches” because the power is not routed by the points there is no dead spot  and the turnout can be “run through” on a trailing point move. I think this is good because it adds to the realism of the model.
Dividing the main into blocks is also a good idea so I’ve started making insulated joints at various locations to separate the layout into four different blocks.

From Miltonburg Branch Subdivision

This picture is of a insulated joint prior to trimming the styrene to the profile of the rail.

From Miltonburg Branch Subdivision

This picture shows an insulated joint in the middle of a road crossing.

From Miltonburg Branch Subdivision

On the industry spur the turnouts have metal frogs so the insulated joints are on the inside rails and they have been wired together to allow good electrical conductivity.