Total Newbie Needs Layout Help (More Dollars Than Sense)

Yes, what Stewart showed off in his diagram is exactly what I meant. I hope that was ok, the trains seemed to run fine at least.

Use the top diagram only.

 If you used the bottom, it just might work, but would be incorrect. The internal paths may not be set to handle that amperage.

The command leg is just an antenna to add a signal to the track.

If there was more than one safe way, it would be in the manual. I don't think it is there.

 What power supply is best? Pure or chopped sine? I was actually under the impression certain units of both types had issues, & that MTH unit was one, the CW-80 another. And it depended on a loco's board more than anything. And I thought the MTH was actually a modified/smoothed chopped sine.(or was that the Z- 1000?  z-4000?)

 Many use the PW ZW. That's pure sine.

Am I missing something in the MTH portion of puzzle?? DC?

Hi

Good luck with your layout. The ideas seems nice and all should work. This forum is great and you always find an answer here. I would make small suggestion please use something to damp the noise from the train tracks. I see that you are use cork on the Atlas or Graves track. Fastrack will make an incredible amount noise due to the shape and placement on the layout. I had 8 loops of Fastrack running at Christmas time on the bare wood floor layout and my wife was scream at me from 3 feet away and I could not hear her.

Hi Jed,

It looks like you have a plan. You can get some .110 quick disconnect terminals at the Advance Auto near you for quick acquisition. If you have some time, you can get them on eBay for a lot less.  Almost every piece of FasTrack is a terminal track. You'll need some crimping pliers.

Be sure to post your progress.

God Luck and have fun!

my wife was scream at me from 3 feet away and I could not hear her.

So, Kris, you highly recommend Fastrack.

Hi RJR

I am not recommending Fastrack or any other company.  Mom not happy so no one is happy.

I have had corrosion problems with the connections on fastrack and the MTH track. Clean all connections before connecting with an abrasive. Test track sections (all three rails) for continuity as they are layed down. I finally had to solder wires underneath connecting some sections and add many more power connections than would seem necessary. That eventually solved the problem. I don't recommend them for a permanent layout but they are fine for carpet running. When sectional snap track is fastened down, over time (which passes very quickly, it seems) the connections seem to corrode, and then they have to be pulled up and the connections cleaned or new feeders connected. I am planning a new layout and either will hand-lay track of use flexible track in long lengths.

HI RTR

I am not recommending anything I think it is personal choice. I have MTH track, Fastrack and Atlas track. I find that the MTH track is not easy for a carpet lay due to the copper tabs can bend or break. I find that Fastrack for me is great for the carpet layout the down side is the noisy level is extremely loud. To knock down the noise level by a few decidable I use two large moving blankets.  I have not used the Atlas track yet on the carpet layout so no comment yet,