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I am neither an electrical engineer nor a very handy person but have a blast running trains. Yesterday a decision to start all over with a simple dog bone layout (cut all the existing wire out and ran new). The RTR(7-11004 NASCAR) engine runs OK but on the "other end, it slows, stops sometimes not all (track is clean). The dog bone is powered with a CW 180, the loop is about 35 feet of track, and there is a "jumper" about 1/2 way thru the track, (all Fastrack). Voltage is constant at 13 volts with the RTR train on the track, the engine has a light,  horn, and other sounds, the caboose is lighted. When the CW 180 is all the way up but the engine still slows, after running new 16 GA., wire.

 

A terminal strip was not used to add the jumper wire, it was just "pinched" on with electrical connectors, would it be better to use terminal strips?

 

Transformer reads 14: thought it should be 18: could this be the problem?

 

 

 

The problem addressed here is for (1) one loop (dog bone), the plan is to get the simple loops correct then the tracks (4) with Vision Line and Legacy equipment will be addressed. There are current plans for those and will be addressed in a few days

 

Thanks

 

Brent

 

Original Post

Not to say this is your problem, but my personal preference is terminal strips and the kind (like Euro Style) that require NO crimp connectors. I am not a big fan of crimp connectors. I have seen to many problems with them over the years during my working life and to me they just are just not worth the trouble or added expense. Many swear by them, but I personally don't care for the 'suitcase' connectors either.

 

I am not familiar with that transformer, but I think is should be putting out 18 volts AC. The 14 volt reading could be a problem. Is that the newer one that uses the PH-180 brick? If so, I use the PH-180's myself and they put out a little over 18VAC.

 

There is also a problem with Fastrack with the center pins not making good contact. Mike Reagan did a video on this and how to adjust the pins for better contact. It's on Lionel's website.

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