Track keeps shorting out or seems that there is very little power goin through

[Warlord Zach]

i have made the layout in the January 2002 issue of Modelrailroader, anyways on the track that goes up around the mountain to the coal mine going up rate before the locomotive gets to the first set of switches it keeps stopping and i need to give it a little push from there and everywhere on top in the coal yard anyone know how i can go about fixing this??[:(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Warlord Zach

i have made the layout in the January 2002 issue of Modelrailroader, anyways on the track that goes up around the mountain to the coal mine going up rate before the locomotive gets to the first set of switches it keeps stopping and i need to give it a little push from there and everywhere on top in the coal yard anyone know how i can go about fixing this??[:(]

Sounds very much like you have a poor joint somewhere.

Check carefully to make sure that all the joints are soldered properly. Also add some additional wiring to get the power to the track. Their is something with a high resistance somewhere and it is limiting the voltage avilable to the loco.
Do you have a multi-meter or multi-tester? If not, go and get one, they are cheap and the hardware type stores. Check the voltage all the way aloing the track with some sort of load - even your loco sitting stalled will do fine. You sould be ableto see where the power 'disappears'.

John.

[selector]

You have a break in continuity right at the switch. My guess is that the switch rail joiners, or at least one of them, is not making enough contact so that power can flow through both rails when the loco crosses them. It could even be that the locomotive, itself, is causing the rails to bend at the joint causing loss of continuity. If the grade changes at that switch, that could be the problem...the joiner is splayed, or pried, open.

You'll have to test, if possible, and then remove the offending track, and reconnect. Use a nail punch to slghtly tap the joiners tight at that spot if you are loath to remove the switch. See if that helps.

[colvinbackshop]

All good suggestions so far!! Hope that you will get the problem under control.
And as John suggests, a VOM (volt, ohm meter) can be a great asset to any trouble shooting! It will be money well spent!
Another thought....Make sure you have enough feeders going from the buss to the track and that the buss wire is heavy enough. In my mind a # 14 or 16 would be a minimum.
My main buss is a # 12 and I have feeder wires on every turnout and on at least ever-other section of flextrack (most often on every section).
I know there is debate on soldering every rail joiner (the expansion/contraction thing), but doing so will absolutely assure continuity.

[Anonymous]

Take a slot headed screwdriver, a pair of pliers, an alligator clip, whatever will conduct electricity and jump the rail joiner. OR a piece of wire with an alligator clip on both ends. Attach one to the offending rail and one to the next one in line. If the train now moves, you need to solder the rail joiner to the track. Only solder the outside.

[Warlord Zach]

wow thanks guys im gonna try this out rate away ill get back to you with the results :D