Layout shorting same spot when running trains

How are you confirming that it's a short circuit?

@ADCX Rob posted:

How are you confirming that it's a short circuit?

It just stops power to the trains.

If there is not an overload, it is more likely a connectivity/conductivity/continuity problem.

When the train stops, does it pop the circuit breaker on the 180 brick?  In other words, do you need to push the reset button on the brick in order to run trains again?  If so, then there is a short somewhere.  If not, then it is probably loss of power through numerous rail joiners like Rob says above.  In this case, you can see constant voltage around the loop with nothing running but the connections can't handle the amperage draw of the trains.  Your idea of adding feeder wires to the far side of the loop should work.

@Bob posted:

When the train stops, does it pop the circuit breaker on the 180 brick?  In other words, do you need to push the reset button on the brick in order to run trains again?  If so, then there is a short somewhere.  If not, then it is probably loss of power through numerous rail joiners like Rob says above.  In this case, you can see constant voltage around the loop with nothing running but the connections can't handle the amperage draw of the trains.  Your idea of adding feeder wires to the far side of the loop should work.

It pops the brick. I turn it off and on after it pops it but wont allow me to turn back on unless I move the engine off that spot I put an x on.

What kind of track? Is there a feeder at the X? Sounds like the weight of the train is crossing some wires.

@John H posted:

What kind of track? Is there a feeder at the X? Sounds like the weight of the train is crossing some wires.

Fasttrack, no feed at x only at the green wires across layout.

Has it worked previously? Where are the rollers when it shorts? Do both engines do it in both directions? Will the voltmeter car do it by itself? It walks and talks like a short.....

@John H posted:

Has it worked previously? Where are the rollers when it shorts? Do both engines do it in both directions? Will the voltmeter car do it by itself? It walks and talks like a short.....

Always does it right there. If I move the engine forwards by physically picking it up then it works the rest of the way.

The voltmeter car keeps 18 the whole way over that section even if I push down and add pressure.

Maybe posting a video of the train at the location when it shorts would help.

I think I got it. The track wasn’t perfectly level like it had a bounce to the track where I had the two pieces of the table together.

it was a mix of dirty track and not being level. Both are running and the voltmeter car is staying at 18 consistently.

Why don't you swap out that section of track and see what happens. I believe there are tabs underneath that hold the rails so your going to have to remove the track anyways to check it out.

Doug

I’ll test again tomorrow and let you guys know. I really appreciate all the ideas and help.

Not familar with your type pf track with lionel timplate track the insulator under rail in 1 spot always stop train upon its arrival .

Found out that little thin piece was no good but easily fixed.

Either way swapping out piece of track i would think would fix that bad spot  -hopefully.

Sounds like something in the center of the engine hit the high spot, such as an uncoupling tab, snowplow, or roller bracket pushed too high. Glad you got it.

Good to hear you figured it out.

Doug