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April 23, 2009
The Irony of Technology
Comment on this in Train Talk Forum
Buy PSX Powershield-X Circuit Breakers
Here is a twist that will interest all model train enthusiasts!
When I was a young child, 55 years ago, like most children I was fascinated by model trains. I soon wondered why some trains had 3 rails and some 2 rails. Even as a child I felt that the 2 rail was more attractive therefore I eventually dabbled in an HO layout.
For many years I always wondered why the less realistic, 3 rail trains were ever even conceived? Not too long ago I finally found out why! Would you believe that the only basis for the 3 rail introduction was that you could have a "reverse polarity section" and the trains would still operate, since the outside rails are the same polarity?
Now it is 2009 and believe it or not 2 rail AC is starting to come back. More and more users are becoming scale and appearance conscious. What about the "reverse polarity section"? Here is the irony. The DCC Specialties PSX-AR Auto Reverser/Breaker works just as well on 2 rail AC as it does on DCC!
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