09-25-2010, 06:46 AM
David, I think that is a fantastic solution! Easy, and I like easy. Epaw, it'll be awhile before I do anything, the rail joiners will have to fail first! I've got plenty of more interesting things to do, starting with getting back to the passenger station. I'd like to get some people together for an operating session. Any Gauge members in the area who are interested, let me know. If you are new here and I don't know you very well, please don't be upset if I decline!
Galen, I too have read the warnings about relying on rail joiners to conduct electrical power, and took them as gospel for most of my modeling years. About 12 years ago, when I laid track on the bottom level of my railroad, I used Atlas code 100 track, with the intent to replace with hand laid in the future, a section at a time. I did relay one scene, but then I decided to work on the upper level, have not yet returned to the bottom! However, because the track on the bottom was to be replaced, I used only a couple drops, needed due to turnouts, etc. And none of the rail joints were soldered. 12 years on, I have only added one more set of drops, and I notice no voltage drop. I've got about 130' of track between staging yard loops with one or two feedred on each of the double tracks. So those warnings, while I take seriously with my hand laid track, soldering feeds to every rail, may be a bit overstated.
Galen, I too have read the warnings about relying on rail joiners to conduct electrical power, and took them as gospel for most of my modeling years. About 12 years ago, when I laid track on the bottom level of my railroad, I used Atlas code 100 track, with the intent to replace with hand laid in the future, a section at a time. I did relay one scene, but then I decided to work on the upper level, have not yet returned to the bottom! However, because the track on the bottom was to be replaced, I used only a couple drops, needed due to turnouts, etc. And none of the rail joints were soldered. 12 years on, I have only added one more set of drops, and I notice no voltage drop. I've got about 130' of track between staging yard loops with one or two feedred on each of the double tracks. So those warnings, while I take seriously with my hand laid track, soldering feeds to every rail, may be a bit overstated.