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Loss of power only in one section after applying only ballist

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  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 2 posts
Loss of power only in one section after applying only ballist
Posted by Driver on Saturday, November 18, 2017 5:48 PM

I am new to model railroads and this is my first lay out.  After initial hook up I had

power bugs to fix. Solved them all. I had been running trains from time to time 

while applying scenery with no power problems anywhere. Couple of days ago I 

applied ballist to a section I had not finished now that section lack power.  I have

tried track cleaning but that was not the problem. Now I'm lost. Can anyone help? 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, November 20, 2017 9:44 PM

I assume you glued the ballast in place.

You probably got some dilute glue into a rail joiner or two, effectively insulating the rail from the joiner at that point.  Or, you may have dislodged a loose wire.

You don't have enough feeders.  My guess is that my layout has the same problem as yours, but it doesn't show because I've got more feeders and the power gets around the bad spot.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, November 20, 2017 9:52 PM

 I clicked on to the thread to reply but didn't need to. Mr. Beasley already said exactly what I was going to say.

                     Track Fiddler

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Allen, TX
  • 1,320 posts
Posted by cefinkjr on Monday, November 20, 2017 10:24 PM

MisterBeasley
You don't have enough feeders.

MisterBeasley has probably correctly diagnosed your problem.  That's a fault most new modelers build into their layouts.  The rule I've always heard from old hands is: EVERY piece of rail gets its own feeder.  Don't rely on rail joiners for anything but maintaining alignment.

Chuck
Allen, TX

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 10:35 AM

LION solders all rail joiners of him.

Him still has feeders every few feet.

Besides trains of LION have 48 wheel pickup.

 

ROARING

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 2 posts
Posted by Driver on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 11:33 AM

Thank you MisterBeasley. That does make sense as for I did glue the ballist.

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