07-31-2014, 10:18 AM
If the train room is climate controlled , then soldering rail joiners is not a big issue I guess, but I would warn for future changes you might not think of. It's a lot easier splitting the track if rail joiners are not soldered, very tricky to un-solder.
Feeder wires are easier to remove. I suggest you consider putting feeders every 3 to 4 feet , and on each spur/ siding too so you don't have to rely on the rail joiners for conducting electricity, but run bus wiring under the layout.
That way you get the best of both worlds, reliable power supply and relatively easy to modify/ change things a bit.
You can solder them to the outside of the rail, but cleaner is to solder them to the bottom. Just cut away a little bit of the plastic and solder between ties, it's just as good, and near invisible.
Koos
Feeder wires are easier to remove. I suggest you consider putting feeders every 3 to 4 feet , and on each spur/ siding too so you don't have to rely on the rail joiners for conducting electricity, but run bus wiring under the layout.
That way you get the best of both worlds, reliable power supply and relatively easy to modify/ change things a bit.
You can solder them to the outside of the rail, but cleaner is to solder them to the bottom. Just cut away a little bit of the plastic and solder between ties, it's just as good, and near invisible.
Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->