Common ground question

Sure.  Think of each poor track connection as a resistor in series with your locomotive.  It doesn't really matter if that added resistance is on the 'hot' side or the 'ground' side of the circuit.  There is a voltage drop across each component (resistance/bad track connection) in a series circuit.

Run all feeds in pairs.

Thanks for all the help. I'll be running ground wires today............Paul

The so called "ground" ain't--its a Common Return to the transformer and really should have larger carrying capacity than the Hot wire.

Good advice above.

(The return) should have larger carrying capacity than the Hot wire.

 

I would be interested in learning why you feel that is true.

All good advice!

I'll share this as well ... In my experience, most of the electrical problems I've run into are the result of a poor ground versus a poor supply.

As above, I think you'll find paired feed wires will improve your situation greatly.

If it truly is a "common" return, it must be sized to carry the potential sum amperage of all power districts it is serving.

I missed the part where the OP said he was wired for power districts.

Been to a food bank to deliver oatmeal and missed your question Arthur but Rob answered it. I had never given it much thought, it was a tip from Jim Barrett way back in the day when he had his Shop at Davis Electric. At that time I had never had more than one rail power district in a simple conventional operation.