I built an 8x12 FastTrack layout. Short of soldering three wires section to section, is there any advice on improving the electrical connection section to section?
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Sean's Train Depot has a great video on this topic
Well, IMO soldering the wires is the best solution, but there are tons of ways that come in second best. 
Take a look a Sid’s Train video. He has fastrack. He is on YouTube under Sid’s Trains.
Since the outside rails are connected together on fastrack, you only have to solder 2 wires section to section :-)
@Mike0289 posted:Sean's Train Depot has a great video on this topic
Yeah, I have not had any issue at all in the 10 plus years my layout has been up with electrical problems. I did spend tons of time making sure the connections were super tight when I was laying my track and the track does not move around since it is ballasted down. I think the movement is what eventually starts making poor connections. I will say that out of the box, just clicking 2 pieces of Fastrack together, probably will not hold up and does have poor connections. They should rename it, Slow track, because it takes time to make tight connections between each piece. But once you do it, it is totally fine.
I have solid 18 volts across my entire layout even though my transformers are at one corner of the layout.
Fastrack can work with a little work!
Track Feeder wires about every 6 pieces of Fastrack regardless of size of pieces, all 3 sides of switches to your buss wires, crimp your track connections together, all if your Fastrack is older, used, and tarnished, then solder jumper wires to each piece of track, you will get much better electrical conductivity, and keep your track clean, it makes a big difference with Fastrack. Good luck.
@Stephen G posted:Take a look a Sid’s Train video. He has fastrack. He is on YouTube under Sid’s Trains.
I appreciate your input, however, that is what I am trying to avoid. Can the tops of the rail on the sides be soldered? Can I crimp the rails from the sides at each connection point? I realize that soldering would make the layout permanent in nature.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, IMO soldering the wires is the best solution, but there are tons of ways that come in second best.
What are they? Can the tops of the rail on the sides be soldered? Can I crimp the rails from the sides at each connection point? I realize that soldering would make the layout permanent in nature.
There's no reason you can't solder to the sides of the rails on top. Just remember to solder on the outside of the outer rails as any soldering on the inside will interfere with the wheel flanges.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:There's no reason you can't solder to the sides of the rails on top. Just remember to solder on the outside of the outer rails as any soldering on the inside will interfere with the wheel flanges.
Thank you, that is what I needed to know.
My current layout is 8 x 12 also. It’s all Fastrack with 12 Fastrack switches that are run off of track power. The more switches and sidings I added, the more erratic track power became. Ever since I made some improvements, I have not had any issues at all with power continuity around the layout or powering the switches.
- I bent the center pin inwards on each piece of track to ensure full contact.
- There are feeds every six pieces with additional feeds as close to each switch as possible.
- Screwing the track down so it doesn’t wiggle around especially in areas where the sound deadening board is a little uneven
