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I have some very basic track. The type that connects to one another with small metal removable clips. The connections are always loose and tracks work there way apart from one another. The train never makes it all the way around the track because of the loose connections. What can I do to resolve this.
Thanks
First of all Im going to assume if the track is coming apart when running its not secured down with track nails or some kind of adhesive? If not that will be the first place to start.. Once secured to a table you can take small pliers and squeeze the rail joiners together to tighten them up. You can also solder your rail joiners which will keep it together and provide a more reliable current flow.
Next you may want to consider running a bus line (if you haven't already) underneath your bench work with larger gauge wire and connecting feeders off that bus line. Those would then be soldered to the rails.
If this is just something you set up from time to time then sectional track wont be your best bet. May want to consider something like Kato Unitrack. It is made for situations like this with snap connecting joiners.
Edit - now I get it, you have old fashioned sectional track not modular like Unitrack. So you can work on the joiners as suggested above. Kato track might solve your problem as it is 10 times better I estimate.
Feeders on every section belong to what I called "bad tasting medicine". You can solder all the joiners instead, that's not as bad tasting but not fun either.
Replacement is probably best, make sure they are for the size rail you have. Most track has a brand molded into the back. If you are very careful you can also squeeze them tighter before you install them on the track. Just don't squash it tight so it won't go on the rail.
I have some very basic track. The type that connects to one another with small metal removable clips. The connections are always loose and tracks work there way apart from one another. The train never makes it all the way around the track because of the loose connections. What can I do to resolve this.
Thanks
I am beginning a new build using HO track like you described that i bought in the 1980s.
I don't want to solder the entire track nor permanently attach it to my board so i plan to solder one rail joiner to each end of the track similar to American Flyer track.
Before i solder the rail joiner to the track i plan to connect two pieces of track together and pull them apart to see which end of the rail joiner is tighter. I will then solder the looser end of the joiner to the track.
I also plan initially to measure resistance using a DVM from home depot to check for variations in continuity.
