Losing steam...

[Anonymous]

Just finished my first christmas layout (I know, its before thanksgiving--didn't expect to get done this quickly).

On a 4' X 8' table using fastrack, its a large oval with an inner loop. I am using the Polar Express set and would love to post pics, just not sure how.

Anyway, as the train travels around the track, it loses speed in one or two areas. All the connections seem to be good.

Any suggestions on how I can make the speed constant throughout? Also, how to post pics?

Sit on it.

Potsy

[chuck]

You can run additional feeds.  I have two feeds for my 4x5 foot Christams tree layout.  Most likely culprit for a power drop is a bad section of track.  I had a single piece of O-36  curved FastTrack that was giving me problems.  Something bad happened to this piece of track (I bought it at a train show with seven other sections that were fine).  I took it apart and found something (probably chemical) had attacked the inside of the pieces of tubular steel.  The tin plate was gone (or never was there) and the inside was completely rusted out.  I'll try and snap some pics and post them.

[LL675]

agree on the extra leads. this should cure all ills, and use less power.

[laz 57]

10-4 on the leads.  You can very easily solder leads to fast track I did and works great.  Or you can buy the power pieces of track.  Good luck.

laz57

[phillyreading]

I find that mainly the center rail loses power as there is only one rail to work with.  If you solder the wires make sure that you have a good solder gun and new solder, old solder may lose it holding strengh after sitting unused for several years.

Lee F.

[lionelsoni]

That's a new one.  I don't see how a simple tin-lead alloy could do that, nor have I noticed any change in the ancient stock of rosin-core solder that I have been using for decades now.