DonW: Yes, all my locos are BLI steam with 8 or more drivers. (And from time to time, run diesels just for fun.) I am not trying to tell everyone else how to do this. I'm only telling how it works for me.
As for time. I would think that 6+ yrs is enough. If I'm not having trouble now, and do have trouble in the future. I will simply try my MS and graphite again.
And if and when that fails, will rethink the situation.
As for Shinohara, or ME, or Atlas or any other. I don't have any experience. Just with my PECO code 83. Could it be that the spring points are sufficient?
And I certainly will agree that with motors, wired frogs, etc. are more reliable. I'm merely giving an alternative.
So, all I can suggest as of now is: Give the MS and graphite a try. And see if that don't work for you. I do check from time to time to make sure the points still have continuity. A simple meter does that.
FYI. My layout is a 12" by 24' shelf. Lot's of switching. And you can imagine that with 24 turnouts, lot's of fun. Every turnout is thrown with a slide switch that helps make a solid point to rail, in addition to that spring. Could it be that the spring plus positive throw with a slide switch is enough?
I have always tried the K.I.S.S. principle. Minimum wiring, etc.
So my main point is that there's always alternatives. More than one way to swing a snake!
And since I'm frugal, the "not wiring or motor control" is a savings.
Final point. This forum is about wiring. And if I can show a way with less wiring, isn't that a good alternative?
Morgan Bilbo, DCC since 8/18. Model PRR 1952.
