ctc lock-on ?

[traindaddy1]

Is there a rule-of-thumb for the distance between the power lock-ons?  (Tubular track)  As always, many thanks,

[rtraincollector]

I remember hearing it once but i always went by how the train ran if it ran about same speed all the way fine if not check the tightness of your track to the pins and then still it wouldn't hurt to do 2 on say a 4' x 8' loop and then if you have a siding you may or may not want one down there all depends if you have it powered or just a dead siding after like 2 sections. now I did once was a 5' x 9 ' loop with a figure 8 built in to it and ran the switches off of track power and had only one Lockon and I seem to remember it running fine but geese that was like 35 years ago so I'm having a hard time remembering everything about that layout but know I was young and did it by myself. might of even been 40 years ago but thats the last layout I really had that was permanent for a while anyway lol.

[charlesp54]

I have a 5 x 11 loop of tubular track and one lockon only. My sidings and switches are powered separately. I do not experience any loss of power. I run TMCC and conventional. I hope this helps.

[sir james I]

If the trains run at the same speed all over the layout then your ok' if you have a place where they slow down and the tracks are good then add a lockon there.

[gunrunnerjohn]

The location and number will depend on how well the track pins and track sockets are cleaned and crimped.

[traindaddy1]

Thanks guys.

[jwse30]

I try to place them every ten to twelve pieces of track, and at least one per siding.

 

J White

 

[Kooljock1]

Over the long-haul you'll get much better conductivity by soldering your leads directly to the tracks.

Jon  

[gunrunnerjohn]

Soldering sections of track together also helps a BUNCH.  Unless it's brand new track with really tight fitting pins, you'll lose a lot of voltage over a few track sections under load.