This is just a general query.   I have been designing and using HO Profi track for a new layout,  but have found that I am having real problems with locomotives stalling at slow speeds over the 6160 crossing. At higher speeds they clatter and get across,  but tank engines in particular seem to struggle.   All my locomotives are quite new Hornby and Bachmann,  with quite fine flanges.  The problem seems to be the large gap left for the flanges at the centre of the crossover,  where the wheels just drop in and then have to climb out again.

I really like Profi track but because I have three scissors crossovers on my layout this is maybe making me think again.   Has anybody had the same experience? ( I am not using DCC).

David,  thanks for your comment.  I've examined the frogs fairly closely but I am not sure that this is possible.  The gap is actually 10mm, which is quite a lot for a small engine.  Interestingly I don't seem to have the problem with the 6162/6163 crossings,  which seem to be made to finer tolerances.  
Robert

Thanks for the suggestion.  I am not sure my track skills are up to modifying the frogs,  but I shall certainly have a go!
Robert

You are correct about the dead frogs.
I personally use RocoLine track that has live frogs helping the smallest engines to get past the turnouts, even at crawling speeds. However, you should not forget to swap polarity whenever you throw the switch. Of course, this can be done automatically, but it makes the wiring a bit more complex.

David.

That does bring up a point, I think- Changing track libraries and/or scales doesn't reflect in the layout you're designing. In other words, if you've designed something using the Profi and switch to Peco or design in HO/OO Peco and switch to N scale Peco, the layout parts already designed don't change to match. I kind of feel like it should change, depending on the 'mixed rails' setting. BUT, this business of being able to add HO scale track to an N scale layout is probably not a great idea, even though some people might be using the N scale as narrow-guage or mine/industrial trackage.

I admit that it's a complicated issue that should get some discussion...

And I would appreciate your ceasing to use these forums for personal attacks, since it seems you have nothing constructive to say...

Let's get back to the original issue of too wide gaps for small engines and how to solve that.

David.

Thank you for your very helpful contributions,   makes you feel you're not alone with your problems!  Apologies for the delay in replying but been off line for a few days.  And also I shall probably repeat myself below.

I should make it clear that I have no criticisms of AnyRail at all:  it's a brilliant system.   I have a lot of criticism of myself because I  should have checked a few things before making grand designs!

I have used Fleischmann Profi for a long time,  and have generally found it a very good system.   Like a lot of people I just want to run trains in a reasonably organised way using a timetable, signalling etc,  and am less interested in the scenic aspects of the hobby:  each to their own.   Profi is great for this because it is an integrated system,  and things like point motors which clip on (upside down!)  make putting a layout together very easy.  However my current design uses short crossovers of necessity,  as it is modelling a prototype,  and this is where I find the system has fallen down.   

Profi points have always been a bit "clunky",  but electrical continuity is not a problem because the flanges ride on live "flats" on the frogs.  I also use the express points as well,  which are excellent.   However the problem with the short crossover is on both counts:  clunky riding and poor electrical continuity.  Everytime I run a test train across the crossover I have to run it fast enough to get across without stalling,  and this is not realistic for the situation I'm modelling.   
This has been a problem for as long as people have been running two rail (not a problem on the old three rail or on stud contact systems, interestingly),  and there have been a variety of solutions suggested.   The obvious one is to have electrical pickups on all wheels of an engine,  but with an 0-6-0 this still does not solve the problem.   Years ago people suggested "freewheeling" motors and engines,  but they don't make them like that.   Live frogs is the best solution,  but Profi don't give you the option. 

I have tried using Peco on a test track,  and it works very well.  But the geometry is based on 12 degrees,  not 18 degrees like Profi,  so it would entail redesigning the whole layout if I wanted to substitute,  and I would then have to ballast and put the Peco point motors on;  their side mounting motor looks far inferior to the "invisible" Fleischmann one.

David suggested an answer to the "clunk" problem,  which is small inserts at the frogs etc.  I have done this,  and it does work quite well, but doesn't solve the electrical problem.    So always loving a challenge I am now designing a short crossover using Profi track base and rail,  but cutting and soldering to a finer tolerance!  This may be doomed to failure,  but if I succeed I'll post an account of it!

Robert