Bachmann E-Z Track Power Help

[TooMuchToby]

Hello,

I am a beginner in model railroading (although me and my father had a small layout back when I was little) and am in need of a bit in terms of powering my small layout. Attached is a photo of the layout (which is a yard) that I designed in AnyRail- it is made with Bachmann E-Z Steel Alloy Track. I am not very sure on how the power will work for all this. I do have a circle of E-Z Track which has a curved rerailer. For all the switches that lead to different branches, do they all need their own power? If someone can, please outline which lines need power (you can put each different source of power needed in a different colour if you like).

Many thanks...

 

[Bruette]

Welcome, we are glad to have you with us!

One power supply should be enough. If you have the track set it up any try it.

Don't leave the power supply unattended when plugged in.

If you have problems come back and describe what is happening.

I'm by no means an expert, but there are many experts on this forum who can solve almost any problem.

 

[santafewillie]

You only need one power source and technically you only need one power connection for this layout. Switches do not need separate power sources. It appears that the Bachmann E-Z track interlocks, so continuity should not be an issue. If it was me however, I would have more power connections by replacing the Bachmann rail joiners with Atlas Terminal Rail Joiners at several locations like this.

All connections hook up to the same power supply. Just remember to keep all of the connections from the far rail together and all of the connections from the near rail together. For a more permanent layout, the feeders could be soldered to the rails instead of using the Atlas joiners.

 

[TooMuchToby]

Welcome, we are glad to have you with us!

One power supply should be enough. If you have the track set it up any try it.

Don't leave the power supply unattended when plugged in.

If you have problems come back and describe what is happening.

I'm by no means an expert, but there are many experts on this forum who can solve almost any problem.

Thanks very much, I also thought one source would work fine but wanted to make sure.

 

[TooMuchToby]

You only need one power source and technically you only need one power connection for this layout. Switches do not need separate power sources. It appears that the Bachmann E-Z track interlocks, so continuity should not be an issue. If it was me however, I would have more power connections by replacing the Bachmann rail joiners with Atlas Terminal Rail Joiners at several locations like this.
View attachment 189623
All connections hook up to the same power supply. Just remember to keep all of the connections from the far rail together and all of the connections from the near rail together. For a more permanent layout, the feeders could be soldered to the rails instead of using the Atlas joiners.

Good to know, thanks ..

 

[TooMuchToby]

You only need one power source and technically you only need one power connection for this layout. Switches do not need separate power sources. It appears that the Bachmann E-Z track interlocks, so continuity should not be an issue. If it was me however, I would have more power connections by replacing the Bachmann rail joiners with Atlas Terminal Rail Joiners at several locations like this.
View attachment 189623
All connections hook up to the same power supply. Just remember to keep all of the connections from the far rail together and all of the connections from the near rail together. For a more permanent layout, the feeders could be soldered to the rails instead of using the Atlas joiners.

Hey Willie,

I changed the Terminal Rerailer location (selected in green). Just would like to make sure it will still all work.. thanks again

 

[Selector]

You'll have more robust voltage over distance if you were to place the connection to the tracks at the top middle red arrow in santafewillie's depiction in his response. Ideally, you want to avoid voltage drops, and this takes place over distance from the power source. This, in turn, is caused by resistance in the metal rails.

By placing your connection midway along ANY layout, your voltage drop is only as far as the distance on either side, and not the whole length if you had connected to one end of the whole track system.

In any case, the clean and mechanically correct connection of ALL of the metal joiners is going to be key to success. So, apart from where you feel you should make the connection to the tracks, do ensure that you have assembled all of the joints between each piece of EZ-Track correctly.

 

[TooMuchToby]

You'll have more robust voltage over distance if you were to place the connection to the tracks at the top middle red arrow in santafewillie's depiction in his response. Ideally, you want to avoid voltage drops, and this takes place over distance from the power source. This, in turn, is caused by resistance in the metal rails.

By placing your connection midway along ANY layout, your voltage drop is only as far as the distance on either side, and not the whole length if you had connected to one end of the whole track system.

In any case, the clean and mechanically correct connection of ALL of the metal joiners is going to be key to success. So, apart from where you feel you should make the connection to the tracks, do ensure that you have assembled all of the joints between each piece of EZ-Track correctly.

Thanks, very helpful

 

[logandsawman]

Hello,

I am a beginner in model railroading (although me and my father had a small layout back when I was little) and am in need of a bit in terms of powering my small layout. Attached is a photo of the layout (which is a yard) that I designed in AnyRail- it is made with Bachmann E-Z Steel Alloy Track. I am not very sure on how the power will work for all this. I do have a circle of E-Z Track which has a curved rerailer. For all the switches that lead to different branches, do they all need their own power? If someone can, please outline which lines need power (you can put each different source of power needed in a different colour if you like).

Many thanks...View attachment 189606

I used Bachmann EZ track on my first layout. One power input location easily powered the entire thing, having it in the middle makes a lot of sense.

I also used Bachmann turnouts on a couple layouts. I thought their remote controls were very smart. Their proprietary electrical connections go to each turnout from a little mounted switch, as I recall. Those worked really slick in my mind, they snapped together to create a chain and the power went from one to the other, and the end one was plugged into a special terminal on the power pack.

Mine was DC so if you have DCC it is possible this last part is different.

Clean track is super important! Sometimes it looked clean but wasn't. I used a soft cotton cloth and household ribbing alcohol.

Dave LASM

 

[Iron Horseman]

I am a beginner in model railroading (although me and my father had a small layout back when I was little)

I am usually a big proponent of "answer the question being asked", but I am obviously late to the party on that point. I did however want to point out an issue with your track plan. I don't know what locomotive you have and what cars will be used on this, but unless they are both very short they aren't going to work well on the bottom siding. Any time there is a switch back track, the distance from the switching rails (points) to the end of that track has to be long enough to hold a locomotive and at least 1 car. As I recall Bachmann geometry, it looks like there is only 6" of space here.

 

[Iron Horseman]

I am a beginner in model railroading

Even further off from the question, one way to fix the too short tail track would be to move the crossover more toward the center. That looses 9" of the spur but that could be added to the other side. This requires modification of the turnout on the run-around track as well.

 

[TooMuchToby]

I am usually a big proponent of "answer the question being asked", but I am obviously late to the party on that point. I did however want to point out an issue with your track plan. I don't know what locomotive you have and what cars will be used on this, but unless they are both very short they aren't going to work well on the bottom siding. Any time there is a switch back track, the distance from the switching rails (points) to the end of that track has to be long enough to hold a locomotive and at least 1 car. As I recall Bachmann geometry, it looks like there is only 6" of space here.

View attachment 193001

Thanks very much, although I already realized this problem a while back and have made the changes. I forgot to post the change here- but thanks either way for seeing that and giving some feedback

 

[Iron Horseman]

Thanks very much, although I already realized this problem a while back and have made the changes. I forgot to post the change here- but thanks either way for seeing that and giving some feedback

I, for one, would like to see the updated plan.

 

[TooMuchToby]

I, for one, would like to see the updated plan.

Made many other changes too.. added a turntable as well hehe