MTH Real Trax Electrical Continuity Issues

@Bobby Ogage posted:

My layout is built exclusively with solid rail Real Trax. There are several joints that have lost continuity at rail joints. I am reluctant to take up / replace the faulty track sections because it will disrupt the scenery, and it usually results in damage to the track.

Is there a way to join by soldering the solid nickle-silver track rail ends together to restore continuity?

Yes, but be sure that the location where you desire to solder is VERY clean, i.e. use a rotary wire brush in your Dremel. Then solder a short piece of copper wire across the joint.

Is there a practical mechanical technique to restoring continuity to the solid rail ends?

You could drill a small hole in the "I beam" of the rail, and use a short piece of copper wire to bridge the rail gap.

I repair the RealTrax sections and turnouts all the time.  The very first run used a clamp connection to the rails that connects to the tab contacts at the end of the track sections.  If they are loose or corroded (at the clamp), they won’t conduct to the tabs.  The second run had the tab contacts welded to the rails with a single spot weld.  The latest run, and the hollow rail track, has two spot welds.

I like to check continuity from end to end at the tab contacts.  If open, check between the tab to the rail to determine which tab is bad.  The clamp connections can be soldered to the rails.  For the spot welded tabs, drill a 3/32” hole through the spot weld into the rail, apply flux and solder with a narrow tipped iron.  I like to use silver solder, but rosin core lead solder will work.