Gargraves Track - Connect the Outer Rails - Yes or No

I recall discussing this with Marty Fitzhenry, and I'm pretty sure he told me connecting the outside rails will help the DCS track signal. I only have about 3' of Ross track on my layout on a bridge (the rest is all traditional tubular with metal ties), but I connected the outer rails on that section before installing it, and have perfect 10 track signals all the way around the layout.

YES!  You can have both rails connected and still isolate sections and perform the signaling you'd like to do.

In my experience using both DCS and Legacy/TMCC.....YES connect outer rails together and use a method other than isolated outer rail sections to activate signals etc. When I changed those to things, I went from morbid signals to all 10's.

Did you guys just install a jumper wire between the outer rails or did you run separate wires back to the power source?

You will get better TMCC, and to an extent DCS signals by having both rails tied together. For TMCC/Legacy, you should also consider running an earth ground wire near the track for a better earth ground reference.

@NJCJOE posted:

Did you guys just install a jumper wire between the outer rails or did you run separate wires back to the power source?

I soldered jumper wires to tie the outside rails together. On the 3-foot section of Ross track on my bridge, I installed a jumper on each end and one in the middle if the section. That's probably overkill on 3 feet of track, but it works and like you, I wanted to get it right the 1st time.

I made a bunch of these for my track connections.  I connect this to the track (blacks to outside rails, red to center) and underside of the table, then power from the transformer to the right side.  I add a 1.5KE36Ca TVS to each.

Here is an old schematic that shows how to maintain the TMCC signal on the isolated track.

Hope some of this helped.

Using DCS, I always jumper both outside rails on any track out there to ensure good performance. For accessory operation, crossings, signals,  just make 2 cuts with a Dremal tool disc on one outer rail to activate device circuit. Never had any running issues in over 20 years.

I run conventional only. I have separate drops from each outside rail to a common bus below deck.

I have both outer rails tied together only on yard tracks.  Elsewhere, one is tied to common and the other is open for accessory/signaling use.  But the TMCC RF signal reaches both outer rails.  Track is fed at one point on each table section (tables are =<8').  At each feed point, the two outer rails are connected together by a 0.1µF 50V ceramic disc capacitor, located at the track drop feed block under the table surface.  As construction is ongoing, I've only powered up the inner track of the 2-track mainline, but I had no problems running a Lionel TMCC Mohawk continuously.  Keep in mind that as soon as a train enters a new accessory/signal block, the wheelsets will connect the outer rails together.

Same thing here as SIRT, outside rails are jumped via soldering a wire across and power drops every 6' in length, been in place for 25 yrs. with never one problem. Yes, even with DCS!!

On Atlas and Gargraves track I’ve always dropped a feeder to the buss every six feet for the center rail and alternating outside rail.

Can be more complicated.  Some accessories are operated from a section of outer rail.  Switch/turnout wiring, involving non-derail wiring, and power routing,  use sections, of outer rail, for automatic operation, that guide trains through the switch.

I install jumpers between the outer rails only where needed to complete the circuit for the diverging track at turnouts.

If you use metal wheels pressed onto metal axles on your running stock and engines (other than rubber traction tired wheel sets) your outside rails will be connected together automatically.

Hi guys, I like all the listings above, I plan on installing DCS, TMCC, Legacy and Conv.  For various reasons I plan on using Cappilots' 3 rail wiring scheme (connectors), this looks good to me.  The next step in the plan is to think about my powered loops.  I plan on having 3 separate powered loops plus a powered switchyard.  A this time, I'm not concerned about my powered yard. My question???  Is there a tutorial or guide lines posted on this forum that outlines a wiring schematic  (Voltage drops) for a single loop with (using) some GG track and using some RCS.  At this time, it appears the each powered loop will be about 125 feet in length give or take some.  Any help or directions from you folks would be greatly appreciated.

Tommy

For DCS, you should use isolated blocks of about ten track sections and install a power drop for every block.  You need the blocks so that the DCS signal doesn’t crash into itself.  Ideally, wiring to each block will be roughly equal in length.  If you don’t isolate the blocks, you might hear the crossing signal twice when you push the SXS button once.  So you need about 4 drops for the 125 foot loop if you are using GG flex track.  More if you are using sectional.  That will also work for conventional.  Not sure about any requirements for the Lionel systems.