 Joined: 06/11/2021(UTC) Posts: 28 Location: Colorado, Longmont
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Has anybody come up with a way to put the 74030 insulator on the track rail? I seem to be able to put a couple on no problem and then I run into a piece of track that will not accept the insulator. Is there some trick to consistently get them on? Maybe soften them with hot water? I've already ruined a fair amount of track pieces due to the insulator distorting the rail during application. Can't use pliers either as they ruin the insulator. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Luna
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 Joined: 30/08/2002(UTC) Posts: 1,289
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I usually use tweezers to "push" the metal sheets together a little, according to the blue arrows. After this, I find it easy to apply the insulator.  |
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 4 users liked this useful post by PeFu
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,463
Location: DE-NW
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I apply the red cup at the corner of the inner lid, then gently push the inner lid to the outside of the track, then push the cup over both lids.
Same effect as PeFu's method, but without a pair of tweezers. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
2 users liked this useful post by H0
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Joined: 07/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 21 Location: Maryland, Baltimore
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Originally Posted by: PeFu  I usually use tweezers to "push" the metal sheets together a little, according to the blue arrows. After this, I find it easy to apply the insulator. So you squeeze shut the outside connector, but what do you do with the connector where the insulator goes into. I have tried to pry the insulator between the two metal prongs, but it doesn't seem to hold the insulator in place. It is not clear from the picture how the insulator is held in place.
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,463
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: Flupke I have tried to pry the insulator between the two metal prongs, but it doesn't seem to hold the insulator in place. You push the insulator over a pair of metal prongs. To make this easier, you can squeeze them together with a pair of tweezers. The red insulators can be used for the centre-rail (inside prongs) and for the outer rails (outside prongs). |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS |
1 user liked this useful post by H0
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Joined: 07/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 21 Location: Maryland, Baltimore
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Originally Posted by: H0 Originally Posted by: Flupke I have tried to pry the insulator between the two metal prongs, but it doesn't seem to hold the insulator in place. You push the insulator over a pair of metal prongs. To make this easier, you can squeeze them together with a pair of tweezers. The red insulators can be used for the centre-rail (inside prongs) and for the outer rails (outside prongs). Thanks, I had not seen that there was a hole in which the metal prongs were supposed to slide in. I got it to go in using tweezers.
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Luna Originally Posted by: Luna Has anybody come up with a way to put the 74030 insulator on the track rail? I seem to be able to put a couple on no problem and then I run into a piece of track that will not accept the insulator. Is there some trick to consistently get them on? Maybe soften them with hot water? I've already ruined a fair amount of track pieces due to the insulator distorting the rail during application. Can't use pliers either as they ruin the insulator. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Luna There is a simple way. No tweezers needed, simply push the insulator sleeve in blue arrow direction without excessive force. Works every time! Do not hesitate to trash damaged sleeves  Note: there may be some tricky tracks where probably force was exerted on the contacts. The result is not both contacts are at the same, "altitude" resulting into difficulties inserting the sleeve. First make sure both contacts face each other before inserting the sleeve Cheers Jean |
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1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 06/11/2021(UTC) Posts: 28 Location: Colorado, Longmont
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I still have to insist that Marklin couldn't have made something that should be simple so difficult for someone that has normal sized fingers if they had purposely tried to. This is the only way they could figure out how to insulate their tracks? I also know that I'm not the only idiot that has trouble putting those nasty things on the rails. Thanks to all who have come up with ideas of how to get them on. I maybe get one success for four screw ups. At this point I've given up trying to make contact tracks.
Done with rant.
Thanks,
Luna
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1 user liked this useful post by Luna
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,809 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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Good point about normal sized fingers. I get around that by using tweezers to put them in place, where they often stay for years. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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 Joined: 12/02/2023(UTC) Posts: 12
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In regards to those red insulators. Is there a DIY version of the insulators
I have lost mine an dmy train shop has sold out..
Thank you
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,961 Location: Michigan, Troy
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I would try square tapered toothpicks if you can get them.
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Joined: 19/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,061
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Or you can just snip off the prongs. I have never bothered with the insulators.
Roger |
Modeling Immensee, mile/km 0 on the Gottard. SBB Era V.
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1 user liked this useful post by rbw993
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,809 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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Originally Posted by: rbw993 Or you can just snip off the prongs. I have never bothered with the insulators.
Roger Right, you will always want isolators in your layout, and those plastic bits are a little flimsy ands way overpriced. I would take Roger's advice and just make it permanent. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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Joined: 12/02/2023(UTC) Posts: 12
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Originally Posted by: rbw993 Or you can just snip off the prongs. I have never bothered with the insulators.
Roger I think I will make it permanent by sniping off the prongs. I'm just not sure exactly how and where to cut .. I'm still just a beginner..
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1 user liked this useful post by Captain
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 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,508 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
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 You have been a member since:: 03/06/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,256 Location: Sydney, NSW
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi Luna Originally Posted by: Luna Has anybody come up with a way to put the 74030 insulator on the track rail? I seem to be able to put a couple on no problem and then I run into a piece of track that will not accept the insulator. Is there some trick to consistently get them on? Maybe soften them with hot water? I've already ruined a fair amount of track pieces due to the insulator distorting the rail during application. Can't use pliers either as they ruin the insulator. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Luna There is a simple way. No tweezers needed, simply push the insulator sleeve in blue arrow direction without excessive force. Works every time! Do not hesitate to trash damaged sleeves Note: there may be some tricky tracks where probably force was exerted on the contacts. The result is not both contacts are at the same, "altitude" resulting into difficulties inserting the sleeve. First make sure both contacts face each other before inserting the sleeve Cheers Jean A word of warning - if you squeeze the prongs to assist in installing the red tabs, and then at a later date you remove the red tab, you may find that the prongs are not making contact with the next piece of track and thus there is no electrical continuity - I found this out the hard way. |
Take it easy . . . . or any other way you can get it !!!!
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1 user liked this useful post by Drongo
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