So I would have never asked this question, but I had a recent event make me say "...hummmm...".
I have a Christmas layout that uses MTH RealTrax and I have always powered it with a Lionel Powermax (the 40 watt unit). This year I happen to get a MTH Z-500 (54 watt) power brick and for several non-operating reasons I used it instead. So I always had the Powermax set to full power the last couple of years as I have phased out my conventional engines for Lionel Lionchief models. I never measured it but I assume I was getting the full 16 to 18 volts. I had always had the occasional operating session where the Realtrax non-derailing switches did not function correctly, or the switch would not respond correctly to the lever to throw the switch.
Not this year, in just the few hours we have been running last night and today it's like I just installed 4 new switches right out of the box. They are snappy and quick, I watched my sons hi-ball the train around the track, including through the switches, all with the non-derailing running 100% of the time. Last year that would have thrown the engine through the tree after about the second time around as a switch would fail to respond.
So, is is the extra wattage? Is it the magic of Christmas? Is there some type of conspiracy designed into the switches to defeat the opposition power supplies? You be the judge!
