Not enough power to get around

[Anonymous]

Its been over 20 years since I worked on Model Trains, I have a set up that covers a table that is 6' X8' and the train starts to die at the furthest point from the power track, any ideas on how to spread the power?

Art
RLB, IL.

[Fergmiester]

[#welcome]Art

Several simple and easy to fix problems may exist

If the track is old it could be dirty and for that matter it maybe brass.

If it's brass then I would recommend you replace it as brass gets dirty very quickly, which will kill any enjoyment possible.

If it's dirty then you will have to clean it. Several quick options is to use a degreaser, such as Goo Gone, a metal cleaner, such as Maas or rubbing alcohol. Personally I use Goo Gone and then use rubbing alcohol afterwards to maintain.

A bad joiner can also be the culprit, so if you have a multi-meter you maybe able to detect the dead piece. Most of us solder our joints once we have a piece of track down and nailed and then tested. We also attach the power source to several sections of the track instead at one place.

Hope this helps

Fergie

[Jetrock]

artro: In addition to cleaning the track and checking the joiners, try adding another power lead at the far end of the layout. Rails, especially brass rails, have resistance, so the farther one's engine is from the power leads, the less power it actually gets. Adding extra power leads will ensure a more uniform amount of power regardless of the engine's position on the layout.

You can hang another pair of wires off the powerpack, or splice the wires in close to the original power leads, or, if you want to get a little fancier, use a terminal strip to create a common "bus" from which you can run power to the track.

Run the second set of wires to the far end of your layout. Drill a pair of holes right next to the rails, run the wires through and solder them carefully into the web on the outside of the track.

[Anonymous]

Thank you and I will try cleaning the track and use a common bus.

[Anonymous]

I cleaned the track and added the bus and the ptoblem went away.

Thank again.
Artro

[tatans]

Isn't the word buss as in electrical jargon, so as not to be confused with bus? glad the cleaning and "buss" worked. Now the problem is not to wait another 20 years before you get at the layout.--- Hey ! it's New Years Eve ! ! !