Christmas Tree Layout Problem With Fastrack 1 3/8" Straight

Mopac01

Are you running more  than one power feed. For me, I have found voltage drop off on Fastrack. Try putting another feeder wire in on the opposite side of the track, making sure the hot and ground line up.

Joe Gozzo

The center jumper wire should be connected for this application.

Gently bend the pins of the 10" piece slightly inward about a 1/16" to tighten the electrical connection points.

Lionel continuity fix

On my ft carpet layout last year, I ran speaker wire bus under the ft.  I then used the appropriate spade connector and did power drops along the track ever five to six pieces.  It really adds to the reliability and is easy to hide under the plastic road bed.

mopac01 posted:.

You can see in the track plan below...

Trainlover160 posted:

Mopac01

Are you running more  than one power feed. For me, I have found voltage drop off on Fastrack. Try putting another feeder wire in on the opposite side of the track, making sure the hot and ground line up.

 

Joe Gozzo

Only one power feed.  Slightly bending the center pin and gently squeezing the open ends slightly seems to have resolved my issue.

You are going to need more than one power feed for that plan hands down.If you really need the sidings your going to need feeds after the switches.

Actually, while another drop or two would be a good idea, I've seen a lot bigger layouts run on one power drop.  It's all dependent on conductivity of the track joints.  If you have good connections, things will work fine.

The outer loop dead end switches are there to allow temporary expansion with some curves and 30" sections.  I've got the 3 switches wired to an LCS STM2 and have an LCS WiFi and a SER2 hooking in a TPC300 in case I want to run conventional remotely with my grandpa's KW.  I also put in a sensor track to try out the sensor REA car that was just delivered.  Finally, I've got a TMCC OTC I'm going to add in too.   The idea is to have the RS11 pulling the Legacy Crane/Boom Car and my Lionmaster Challenger pulling the sensor car, the new PFE sound reefers and an operating signalman car.  

As you can see, I'm trying to pack a LOT into a little space around that tree!