Guess what happened to me...

[trainfan1221]

This happened last night...A couple of wires for an accessory crossed accidentally and shorted while I was running my layout. This has happened before and since I have a powerful transformer large sparks always resulted. Well, last night I got a small fire out of it! I thought I took care of these wires last time, apparently not. Now I will make sure they are properly insulated. Thankfully it was a small fire and blew right out, just some charred wires. This would have been a good one for the post on biggest screw-ups. I hope nobody else has a similar experience anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

wow! thats kinda scary.... a scale fire! =P hehehe well im glad nothing but the wires were damaged. it could have been much worse.
i've never had that happen to me, but one time i did melt down an atlas swich machine when the power switch to it got stuck on. althogutht he case is really deformed the thing still amazingly works =)

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm glad to hear that it wasn't serious. We as model railroaders need to be careful, even with our low voltages. Properly sized wires, and over current protection are a must, to prevent such disasters in the first place.

An ABC type fire extinguisher should really be standard equipment on all model railroads.

[FThunder11]

Always have an extinguisher on hand [;)]

[Anonymous]

Glad it wasn't serious,and a fire extiguisher is good to have, but don't you use FUSES or CIRCUIT BREAKERS??? They are a cheap investment and they would keep this from happening again.

[conford]

Glad it turned out OK. Once when I hooked up a decoder wrong, it burst into flame. Didn't burn long. Makes a nice flatcar load to remind me to be careful.

You too!

Regards,
Peter

[trainfan1221]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mainecentral229

Glad it wasn't serious,and a fire extiguisher is good to have, but don't you use FUSES or CIRCUIT BREAKERS??? They are a cheap investment and they would keep this from happening again.

My transformer is supposed to trip off if something like this happens, but it didn't. Neither did the train I was running, kept right on going. I never even thought of a fire extinguisher but I definitely will consider it now.

[Jetrock]

Another helpful step is a powerstrip with a circuit breaker (or, better yet, a surge protector.) A fire extinguisher and a fire alarm are musts for the layout room!

[PennsyHoosier]

Good advice from the list as usual. A little prevention can go a long way with this. And, if nothing else, have the extinguisher near by. I've used mine on a couple of occasions--but not for the Thanksgiving Turkey! [:D]

[Anonymous]

Silly person. Smoke is supposed to stay in, not out. When the smoke is let out the electricity thingys quit working. Never, never, never let the smoke out. If smoke was supposed to get out they'd stick chimneys on power packs and motors.
Hope you got your wiring figured out. Above suggestions on fuses and fire extinguishers should be taken to heart.