Temp Layout feeder wire clip ?

Hi EJN,

I have been considering this as one forum member has a large FasTrack floor layout for the holidays and has had power loss issues.

There is a notch in the center of the ribs that will allow you to pass a wire under the track.

I had been thinking in terms of typical wiring with multiple feeders. What they do electrically is minimize the negative effects of poor track joint connections.

The other poster had made long runs of lamp cord under the track.

Here's my current idea. Make a jumper wire from the second set of terminals on the first track powered to the 5th or sixth track and run it under the center in the notches. Then continue on with a jumper from the second set of terminals on that track to the 6th track away from that and continue until all the way around for each loop. Don't connect back to the first track.

You need .110 quick disconnect terminals that are not easy to source locally. An automotive store may have them on a long shot.

here is a Dorman part#84541. or 84547 depending on the gauge wire. 18 in lamp cord should be ok. Do both hot and common. Click on Where to Buy on the Dorman site to find possible suppliers in your area. Otherwise, you can get them on eBay.

Well, that's my 2¢. Hope it helps.

Searching Advance Auto Parts in the Raleigh area, they carry an autocraft version. A little expensive, but you can get them before the holiday.

The original tooling for FasTrack had a provision for running the wires along the center of the track in a channel as you have proposed, including the clips molded in. I thought it was ingenious.  Subsequent production did not have this feature - the channel in the webbing was eliminated.

If you take a section of this early track and eyeball the channel, you will see that the "clips" have survived, and are actually the plastic appendages that cover/protect the .110 track power spade terminals.

Rob, I have a mix of track from new (1 -2 years) RTR sets, tracks purchased at the lHS and used. They all seem to have the rectangular cut-out in the center of the cross ribs, which would leave an opening between the rib and the table. It's even at the ends. I guess I'll have to check again and take your word for it. I see no clips, only the cut-out and the terminal connectors.

I have a new LionChief set (2014) for my grandson, but it's wrapped already. I'll let you know after the big day.

Pick up a straight section to eye level and look through the rectangular cut-out in the center of the cross ribs from one end and you will see the channel, and how the plastic "clips" or retainers are formed by the terminal guards, and there is a complete unobstructed path to lay two or three wires straight through.

I'll take a closer look. Didn't realize there already be a cut out notch in some issues. My inventory goes back to purchases back in 2007. Don't know if its old enough but will see.

Power loss around a layout is the pits.

.Thanks