|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
|
Any model railroaders out there?
Ok, I have this RailKing model train set that my dad bought for my son when he was about 2 (my dad is a big model train fan). We use to to go around our Christmas tree. Anyhow, every year before this one it has been a simple oval. This year my dad sent me some new track for it, including two rail switches. So I decided to make a more complex layout. I am using the gray snap together type track from Railking. The problem I am having is that every time the train goes past one of the switches it loses power.
Any ideas here?
__________________
Rick 1984 911 coupe |
||
12-07-2007, 06:59 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,673
|
I'm a Lionel guy, but this might help...
Still have Dad's 1949 set under the tree, runs like the energizer bunny. http://www.mth-railking.com/service/trouble.asp |
||
|
12-07-2007, 07:45 AM
|
|
|
Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
|
I had a model railroad. I still have all of the cars now. I should put them on eBay.
__________________
Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
||
|
12-07-2007, 07:59 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
I was big into this stuff as a kid. Built 2 pretty decent HO layouts. I still have most of the stuff I've collected since the late '60s and if I didn't have so many other hobbies, I'd be into this big time.
__________________
Mike 1976 Euro 911 3.2 w/10.3 compression & SSIs 22/29 torsions, 22/22 adjustable sways, Carrera brakes |
||
|
12-07-2007, 09:39 AM
|
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,162
|
Rick, you need to put another power connection in the section between the switches. I'm not familar with RailKing, but I would guess that the switches act as isolaters so you can have a dead spur line while the main continues to run.
I have some Lionel I collected when I was younger. I also have a ton HO stuff. I had a few layouts when I was a kid. When I bought my first house, I had the notion to build a layout in the basement, and actually bought new track and road bed. But my list of hobbies is long, and time is limited, and it just never happend. I would love to get into live steam. But its a pricey hobby, and requires signifcant space. |
||
|
12-07-2007, 09:45 AM
|
|
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
I'm no model railroad buff but I am a tech and I like looking at model railroad setups.
Maybe you could run some small jumper wires under the tracks to run power to the dead spots? Of couse be sure not to cross wires and burn out the power supply. hard drive beat me to it, DOH! 
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
|
12-07-2007, 09:49 AM
|
|
|
|
Registered
|
Quote:
Sheesh, this is too complicated! The people who have multiple accesories on their tracks must just have a maze of wires... I have two crossing gates that I tried to get to work last year...what a flog that was!
__________________
Rick 1984 911 coupe |
||
|
12-07-2007, 09:55 AM
|
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,162
|
Quote:
I seem to remember having something like 50 switches (relays), one for each section of track so you could have some sections dead while others ran. There was a ocean of wire under the layout. I think it prepared me for my adult life as a network engineer! These days you can get on board controllers for each locomotive, and the entire layout is powered. When you want to move a particular engine, you send it a signal through the track. Expensive, but a superior system. |
||
|
12-07-2007, 10:02 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
I have a sweet Lionel set up that we put up each year around the tree, which goes up tomorrow, so I am really excited to get it out and set up.
Bill |
||
|
12-07-2007, 10:04 AM
|
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,162
|
|||
|
12-07-2007, 10:04 AM
|
|
|
Evolved
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,338
|
I should 'study up' on these and learn what's valuable. I was at an estate sale last week. Some of this guys engines/cars went for over $80 apiece. Others
went for $20 for an entire box full??? Some months back (another sale with train parts) overheard two guys talking about the set there. 1940's set ...in its ORIGINAL BOX, one guy said the box ALONE was worth several hundred dollars! The entire set sold for $2800.
__________________
Don't fear the reaper. |
||
|
12-07-2007, 10:08 AM
|
|
|
A Man of Wealth and Taste
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Out there somewhere beyond the doors of perception
Posts: 51,063
|
Go for the Japanese Brass HO Locomotives...
__________________
Copyright "Some Observer" |
||
|
12-07-2007, 11:45 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
MTH's "Tinplate Traditions" are nice trains also.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule" - Mark Twain |
||
|
12-07-2007, 12:24 PM
|
|
1976 Porsche 911
1983 Porsche 911sc Cabriolet 3.0
