Terminal Rail Joiner Question

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am currently starting to glue down my track for my layout. I read a posting on here before about feeder wires, and the Atlas terminal rail joiners on how you should have so many on your layout if it is large. I have 3 questions to this.

#1 My layout measures 8ft (long) 18 (wide) x 6ft (Long) 18 (wide). Small wall mounted HO layout that sits above a work bench in one spot and shelving on the other side, its kinda neat. How many of these terminal joiners would I need?

2. Since I am running a double track do I need to add one terminal joiner on each line or just one line?

3. Would I need a terminal joiner on any of the 2 crossovers I have created?

Right now I glued down one the 6ft sections with one set of terminal joiners on the outside track. I planned on having one joiner on the 8ft section on the inside track. Im just curious to know so I can get the fullest amount of power on my layout.

Any help would be appreciated.

DON

[selector]

For double tracks, treat each as a single track (as if it were the only one on the layout), and solder or provide feeders about every 3-6', your choice. Mine are over 6' apart, and I have no problems with six locos all performing at the same time on my EZ-Track. So, for the length you describe, about three feeders per track should be more than enough.

Unless your double crossover is insulated from both tracks to which it provides access, it does not need a dedicated feeder. It will get power from both tracks.

[MisterBeasley]

I make my own terminal rail joiners. I just take a regular one, slip it loosely on to a piece of scrap track to hold it, and solder my feeder wire across it (not along it, across it.) I make half of them in red and half in black so I can tell which is which once I get them under the layout. Those things from Atlas are kind of overpriced. If you make your own, then there's no financial reason not to put in lots and lots of feeders.

I also use a heavier gauge wire than Atlas uses. I guess it's OK for a short feeder, but I prefer something a bit thicker.

[2021]

You might consider using feeders on each three foot section of track if you don't solder the joiners. This is a common practice as it assures full power to each section. Note that a power bus of heavier wire runs below the layout. On soldered curves, you only need one drop. I solder on the track edge, not at the joiners, for better continuity.
Ron K.

[waltersrails]

i would use as many as you can aford.