I purchased the rail joiners, so I guess I'll start with them:
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The center package is the rail clamps that need to be installed.
There are a bunch of the standard Aristo joiners on the layout that need to be replaced.
For example:
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The top line is the main and was done about 3 years ago.
The lower line is the trolley line that I want to update.
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The right line is the updated area, the left is what i need to remove. This section is about 10 ft. long under a 5ft tunnel.
ATTENTION:
All trolley service on the MF&W has been suspended until further notice!
We apologise for any inconveience.
The MOW work has begun...........
12-1/2 Ft of G scale track, just laying on the floor:
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attachment=36106]
Now for all of you that think that years of experience make us knowledgeable...
I replaced all the track, checked each joiner and threw the switch.....and Nothing Happened
Looking at the wiring, I saw no issues, I even wiggled the supply connections.
That left the diode .... The blue wire after wiggling it, was fine
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attachment=36193]
After trying a few more times I finally pulled on the wire and it didn't move. This was NOT good, seeing it was supposed to be where it is in the picture, between the rail and the tie.
Turns out it was trapped under the plastic.
After loosening the track, I freed the wire and stuck it back where it belongs and everything works!! Trolley service has now been restored on the MF&W RR...
Next is the main!!
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It only took a few hours to complete this one.
The before pic with the old connectors is above, here is the updated one with the new connectors and cleaner track:
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The new clamps are shown above and I even added a set to the end of the bridge:
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This completes the layout. Every standard rail joiner has been replaced with the screw on Rail Clamps.
Yes.... the bridge is made from Tinkertoys
It's removable, so I can access the back of the layout, so I placed rail clamps on the end to provide a better connection.
here's an idea for electrical connections that I've used in the past . drill a hole down through the rail and push a wire up through and solder in place from bottom finish top with 600 or 800 wet or dry , in the past i used bell wire which i think is 26 gauge to go to buss, in larger rail you night get by with 20 gauge or larger .
Jim
I bought some of those joiners. I found that they were useful in the motorhome to keep the screens from sliding open, especially with the cats. Clamp them around the rail it slides on.
(04-22-2021, 01:03 AM)jim currie Wrote: [ -> ]here's an idea for electrical connections that I've used in the past . drill a hole down through the rail and push a wire up through and solder in place from bottom finish top with 600 or 800 wet or dry , in the past i used bell wire which i think is 26 gauge to go to buss, in larger rail you might get by with 20 gauge or larger .
Jim
I used to do that in HO. Really helped with feeders.