Electrified Track? What do most do?

[Anonymous]

I want to do an informal poll... Electrified track or not? How do you run?

I just purchased some 1 Gauge by Marklin and it's capable of running on AC or DC (and AC digital), but it's not really able to be modified to run on battery and remote (exception for the live steam model)..

So I am curious how most of you model your G layouts.. Electrified? or not? I've found a lot of the local layouts here in Phoenix to be non-electrified.

[cacole]

Do you mean using overhead catenary wire, or just track power? To me, electrified track means overhead catenary because that's the term real railroads use for it.

I'm one of those who uses battery power and the AirWire900 wireless DCC system from CVP Products so I will never have to worry about dirty track or poor electrical connections in rail joints.

[Anonymous]

Hi Cacole,

While my trains will run with catenary as they have functional pantographs, no.. I mean the track it's self is powered, as compared to the loc being battery powered. My reasons are quite simple... If I were running $200-500 locs, I would have no problem taking them apart and soldering this here and that there... but there are $2000-$3000 and made in Europe, as compared to China, so I just can't bring myself to modify them... I have since found a few people with electrified track and I think I'll join the ABTO (Arizona Big Train Operators) as many of them run electrified track.. Also I believe the Stainless Steel track is much less likely to get "dirty", which would make it the ideal choice for electrified track, as compared to the brass which actually looks good when it tarnishes but is more useful for running live steam or battery powered like you're doing.

[ghelman]

I use track power. The biggest reason I guess is cost. I suggest that if your new to G scale and your on a tight budget that you use track power. You can always change later without laying new track. I have used both LGB and Aristo brass. I am happy with both. Flex track will be my next test. The track power will always give you the ability to have friends run their electric powered locos on your track.

[Anonymous]

Track power allows you to use DCC, and the decoders are pretty compact, so you could put one in a loco much more easily than fitting it with batteries, and a way to get the batteries out quickly (for swapping out) or having to have a heavy gauge wire plug sticking out to recharge while in the loco.

There are new combination sound and motor DCC decoders that are extremely realistic, resulting in more space saving rather than 2 separate circuit boards.

Greg

[cutlass12001]

I am using regular track power. Although I do have a question I hope someone will be able to answer. I upgraded to the Crest Electronics walkaround control system. I would like to add my switches but I do not know how to hook them up to the walk around system. Do I need a different receiver? I would like to use 1 hand held remote control to run everything. I am not sure how to do this. I hope this forum has someone who can help me

[cabbage]

I only use Battery Power.

This has to do with the amount of rainfall around here!!!! I use a combination of RF and IR control or a simple fwds/off/back switch -dependant on the level of the operator (ages 3 to 12).

Do to the number of cats that seem to love my layout to sun them selves on -I sometimes wi***hat I had gone to track power -but at 1.5KV.....

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

So it would seem that of the small sample in this group, many use electrified track, yet for some reason all I can find is clubs and local layouts that are battery power.

I just got a shipment of some 100' of stainless steel 1 gauge track (marklin, though it's same as Arista) and I'm now trying to decide if I want to set it up out doors, or indoors on a temporary basis. I just can't bring myself to place $900 worth of track and turnouts outside in the hot Phoenix sun!

[majnnj]

I've used USA Brass track here in CT, no problem 2 years running, even in winter, I have about 200' track, I am using TMCC and track is powered 18V AC
constant. I ran PVC under ground before layout for all my Track power pickups as well as any wire for Switches & Accessories, I also ran extra wire
both 12 gage and 18 gage for future additions. And I can control all my Switches, Accessories as well as Multiple trains from Cab-1 Controller.
works great
Mike

[Anonymous]

I went to the Marklin site, could not find the track. If the track is the same as Aristo, most likely the european style (tie size and spacing) then it's fine outside. Your only concern will be that the plastic ties are forumulated to withstand UV rays and basically to be outdoors. Stainless is the longest lasting and most indestructible of the metals available in track today.

So have fun and put your $900 to good use.

Greg

[Capt Bob Johnson]

cutlass 12001,

Aristo has an accessory reciever that can control switches and other things and although I don't have one, I understand it operates from the same transmitter as the TE walkaround; just a different freq & channel than the loco! Check on aristo web site, catalog, or dealer!