That is kind of what I do. I use the 40 inch long straights wherever I can use them. The trains do speed up on the long sections. But, then again I use the Z transformers to power the trains. That little bit of extra volts get them going smoothly. I just make track connections say every 8 feet of track. But, my layout is not permanant, but is up 4 months out of the year for xmas time. But, I keep all my wiring under the table and i use lockons as well. Make sure you use thick bus wires. I use 14 AWG they seem to work wonders as far as voltage lost and giving extra current to where it is needed. Thanks.
I am building my first layout. I'm 62 now and I hate it when trains slow down. I am also using old 027 track with some new 042 for some of the outer loop. Right now the track is just laid out in a temporary fasion as I figure out what the permenant scheme will look like. My plan is to run a bus wire around the entire track system under the table and connect every section of track to it. I don't want to depend on the track pins to provide power to the track. I suspect your problem may be rust or dirt or lose fitting connectors are providing poor connection from one track section to another. I have also started using some long 3' sections of streight track where every I can. This relly seems to be helping and it gives the long streight sections a nice look to the run. I know running the bus and making all the connections under the table will be a lot of work, but at my age, I don't want any track power problems once the track is permenantely laid. I feel it is a lot easier to get it right first rather than have to go back and try to figure out where the problem is.
Terry Thomann Fredericksburg, Virginia That is me on the left. My brother got the train TCA 09-64381
What brand and type of track are you using? I know Fast Track likes mulitible connections.
Im one of the few here with a "Carpet central" laytouts. after my old layout was taken down, I made a huge oval on the floor to hold me over till I started on a new layout. at 1st it ran fine alone with just one hook up to my ZW. then the train started slowing down on one side, so I cleaned the rails. still happened. so I bought another set of hook ups to bring power to the other half of the loop. it speeds up only directoy over the track connected to the ZW. ive noticed that it only slows down on the 30 inch streight tracks. could it be its just time to get new track? ive had this track for a long time. oh, and im using fastrack.
"No childhood should be without a train!"
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