Since we do not use the fireplace in warm weather, I expanded my carpet layout and added an elevated section. The elevated section and the rug level section are each powered by a 54 watt power supply that comes with Lionchief sets. Thanks to a tip I read on this forum, I isolated the 2 sections at a switch leading up the ramp, using the 1 3/8" Fastrack piece with the wire removed.
Passenger train is about 9 feet long, which is the limit for this O36 reverse loop. I do not have electrical specs on the lit passenger cars, but with the 3 passenger cars that came with the Lionchief set + 2 add-on Vista dome cars + 3 Nabisco cars I picked up at a train show, I am probably approaching the limit for the 54 watt power brick that came with the Lionchief set. No power problems so far, not even going up the 5% grade ramp.
Lessons I learned from my mistakes:
1. I did not plan for the size of the MTH trestle bases, which are wider than the Fastrack. I had to do some PITA adjustments during construction.
2. The MTH trestle manual said to put a trestle at each track joint. I used a 30" straight Fastrack piece with a trestle at each end, but this did not work, so I had to cut a scrap 2 X 4 to serve as trestles. Long term plan is to check out bridges. Short term plan is to cut more scrap 2 X 4 and 4 X 4 pieces and paint them.
