I am resurrecting my 1957 Lionel 027 layout with a combination of original and used track. I am also adding about 60 feet of O gauge track and a bunch of used O gauge equipment purchased over the last couple years.
Assembling the 027 first, I placed lock-ons about every six feet, wired them in a "daisy chain" fashion, and used 16 gauge stranded wire. Since then, I have burned out two transformers, the original 1957 one and a used 80 Watt one I bought on e-bay.
Should I have used solid wire? Should I have used 18 gauge? The freshly lubricated engine was running well and the 80 Watt transformer just died after about 20 laps by my diesel locomotive, which appeared to be running fine with no sparks.
Or is this just a coincidence? I ordered a larger wattage transformer on-line, which I intend to use on the O gauge section.
