Idea for using R/C WITH track power

[FJ and G]

I've been thinking of lighting some structures and doing other sorts of electrical animations. Rather than bury wires all over the yard, I was considering just powering the rails and pulling feeders off the rails as needed.

As long as the wheels are not connected to the motor electrically, I don't think the current would have any effect on the R/C locos.

I hope I explained this clearly enough.

Your thoughts?

[grandpopswalt]

I agree. The loco's operation is completely independent of the track (unless you intend to charge through the existing connection to the track through the wheels, pick-ups, etc).

Walt

[FJ and G]

Walt,

Glad you see this as a possibility as well. Might as well make use of a free conductor!

(So as not to confuse, I'd like to keep the part about charging locos from the rails out of this discussion, as that's a different topic we already hashed and rehashed.)

[Anonymous]

one thing you might consider; the dirt your track is laying in is a ground circuit (probably why they call it that), and your rails will exist within a fraction of an inch of that ground.

what will be the effect if a bit of connecting dirt touches a "hot" rail? will any of your rail spikes protrude through the tie and touch the dirt?

yours is a great idea, but might require a bit of discipline.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm at 12v lighting voltage, this is no different than track powered locos. Loss to grounding out I think is nill (unless water is involved causing a short) or else no one could run track powered trains. What you plan to do is the same as in running a batt powered loco on a layout with a track powered loco at the same time, which I know can be done. I Personally will go ahead and lay 12 gauge outdoor lighting wire next to the track, but that is because I plan on allowing others who come over and want track power can. Another thing to think about is power loss due to the mechanical connection at each rail joiner, etc. unless using spitjaw,hillmans, jumper wires. I am already digging where the track will go, putting in some realatively cheap wire wont take any extra effort. the only assumption where the above post may be right is if you planned on 110v or something like that, then the voltage issue comes in to cause the grouding out issue, among many other numerous problems.