Gargraves 'O' Ga. Track

Link to post  re your question.  Not necessary to remove the blackening just the surface oil

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/5512461179078802

Mort

didn't wipe anything off it initially just ran the trains. I do periodically clean it with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol.
DCS seems to like track feeders I use 16 Ga. wire but my layout is only 7x16
If you have a larger layout you may want to use 14 or 12 Ga. stranded.
The star wiring wasn't a problem for me . I've spent a lot of time running DCC and there it's a must.

David

The center rail blackening will wear off pretty much via normal operation.

Clean new track with an alcohol wipe rag will get off any oil left from the drawing operation, but strangely enough putting Wahl's Clipper Oil on the rollers actually improves electrical conductivity.

We use 14ga all the way from the TIU to the track connection.  Also 14ga from the transformers to the TIUs.  I did put in a few 16ga drops to the track in the yard and didn't notice any degradation in anything, voltage or signal.

No problems.

Depends on who you talk to!

I would first go through the book excellent!

I use lots of Gargraves over the  years on a DCS layout.

I have tended to any track I get run a track eraser over it.

Rub down center rail a bit.

Basic key steps for a good layout signal are Terminal block and all runs from here out.

Wire as mentioned above paired to each block of track. Make sure blocks are not to long and isolated.

Lots of info on the DCS forum.

And be sure to wire the outside rails together.

I use GG with DCS and have a signal of 9 and 10. Never had an issue with the center rail. Most likely, any issue you are having is from something else

Thank you everybody for your inputs.  I have a lot of work ahead of me.