shim contact

02/29/2004 shim contact
This is how I plan on adding an s88 contact point as needed in hidden areas of the layout. The advantage is I can simply glue the assembly down next to the track without having to lift track, cut rails and relay track.
experimental track contact

The disadvantage will be that track cleaning devices my destroy the switch or get hung up on them.

Antonio Martinez has a much simpler technique using aluminium foil. I am abandoning my experiment and have started my first Martinez type contact. I stuck a length of packaging tape on one side of some foil then cut it out with a tail of bare foil that I twisted and fastened into a Märklin socket for easy connection to the s88 lead. Here it is insulated side up.
Al foil contact

I can them simply pin it down over one side of the rail so that it cannot touch the center studs and covers one running rail. It it wears out I can easily make another to replace it.

Related pages....
Using a laser to lay tracks!
K track cutting jig
Ensuring Turntable center contacts do not touch running rail contacts
shim contact
Sky
Crud-B-Gone track cleaner
Laying K-Track
Digitising a 3048 steamer with ESU LokPilotDCC
Making a curved bridge ramp

Catenary guide
Viessmann 5291 kit to build 5211
Tunnel catenarary
Train layout photography
Threaded rod supports
Home made scatter material
Switch motor modification thread
Rope lighting
Tips for building plastic kits
5 Volt power regulator
Converting Märklin 7283 to LED operation
Roundhouse construction
Smoke catchers
Roundhouse interior walls
HO scale workbenches
Weathering with acrylic paint
Simulating concreted rails