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Loss of track power over the winter

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  • Member since
    April 2014
  • 1 posts
Loss of track power over the winter
Posted by Paul hot in the desert H on Saturday, April 12, 2014 4:26 PM
Well after a mild winter and many hours of scuffing up the oxidation on the surface of the rail I find that corrosion in the track joiners keeps the Grandsons trains from running. Does anyone know what can be applied to the track/joiners to remove the corrosion without tearing up 400' of track and replacing the joiners? HELP
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 7:42 PM

I’m afraid you have some serious work ahead. I would suggest looking at soldering jumper wires across every joint. Drill a small hole in the rail web, insert a small wire and quickly solder it in place. You will need a high-end soldering iron to do the job quickly enough to not melt the plastic ties. Another option would be to use a Dremmel tool with a wire brush to clean what you can then solder the connector to the rails.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 25 posts
Posted by cape cod Todd on Saturday, April 19, 2014 1:11 PM

I would be surprised if every rail joiner is corroded to the point where it is not conducting current. I have had my track down for 7+ years and though half of the joiners have been replaced with clamps  I still have many joiners.   What kind of track are you using? LGB, Aristo, USAT?  The USAT and Aristo have teeny screws that can be screwed in through the joiners to help with conductivity.   

How much track do you have and do you have more than one connection to your power pack?  If you have over 100' you should put extra feeder wires from your power supply to the track, (don't cross the wires) Just having a couple bad joints can stop your trains in their tracks. When my trains stop because of a bad joint  I take a screwdriver and touch it to a joint around where the train stopped. If the train starts you found yoru bad joint.  In a pinch there is a electrically conductive spray (the name eludes me) but it comes in a blue can, black cap, white lettering about 6" tall.   you can spray this into the joint and you will be on your way again.  

Good luck.

  

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Shire Counties UK
  • 712 posts
Posted by two tone on Sunday, April 20, 2014 3:20 AM

Hi   Todd has the right idea, you may find more than one bad joint but as Todd says any type of jumper lead across the two rail ends will soon show you where the problem is to save a lot of bending put something metal on the end of a brush, and do it the easy way.     Hope this helps

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