Fast Track Sparking

The track may need to be reseated.  Use the tabs on the bottom to disassemble, inspect and reassemble.  

 

I've never had a sparker, but I have had an electrical buzzzzz.  Most unnerving.

 

It sounds like there is an air gap which is creating the sparks. I'd also clean the rails and pins, and check that there are no metallic filaments (i.e. steel wool) near the track.

 

-John

Solder a bare wire across the joint.You don't even have to take it apart.Check your amp draw.Nick

P42,

    Clean your track real good and see what happens, also if you do not have your track screwed down it may have moved a might allowing gaps to form causing the sparks as the trains moves over the small gaps.

PCRR/Dave

My experience with fast track is the pins are not a solid connection to the rails. I have been using on my 4x8 layout with no issues. My older 8x12 would have issues due to more track pieces. When I ran carpet centrals on my carpeted basement floor with it, I would build the layout and come back 2 days later and no engine would run smoothly. Cleaning the track did nothing. Taking it apart and reconnecting it would solve the problem.

 

I do agree, try cleaning it first.

 

You do not say how big the layout is.

You are drawing maximum power from the transformer with the engines and cars and it is close to the trip point of the breaker. 4 motors and 20 bulbs.

 

remove a few cars and see what happens.

 

You need a larger transformer for that train. It's not a track issue. or possibly heavier gauge wire and more track feeds.

Thanks for everyone's help.  It turns out that one of the pins was loose.  I tightened it and it seems to be working fine on a siding.  I did replace the piece on my mainline and all is good.  Thank you very much!