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I have a spur in my Fastrack layout that transitions to tubular O gauge track with two tubular operating tracks to serve a barrel loader and a milk platform.  I wired the first operating operating track to accessory power provided by a post war ZW (have not wired the second one yet).  Per directions in a Lionel PDF, I spliced a wire from the number 3 post on the track to an accessory bus line then spliced another from the same bus line to the unload/uncouple Lionel controller.  The other three wires go directly from the OT to the controller.  The track operates the barrel car (and others) perfectly but power bleeds into the other tracks in the spur (I noticed this by the fact that a caboose lights up beyond the operating track).  Should this happen?  I can't understand how this is so.  Any ideas as to what could be the cause and how to correct it?

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When you say "bleeds" do you mean a little leakage, or the whole voltage amount?  Bleeding would imply that there is leakage through a component, like a coil or some resistance.

Do you have a volt-ohmmeter?  With the power on to (just) the operating track, do you read the same voltage along the siding as you are feeding to the operating track section?

With the power off, can you see (using the ohmmeter) if there is continuity between the fixed voltage connection and the middle rail?  If there is, and it is unwanted, you will need to unsolder or otherwise separate the fixed voltage supply from the middle rail.  If you don't, and you start running trains, and the two sources are not in phase, you will release the magic smoke, or worse.

Arthur

I used the word "bleeding" as I didn't think it should happen at all.  The voltage on the other rails in the spur is the same as the voltage applied my the accessory transformer (14 volts).  The spur would receive 18 volts from one of my bricks that supply power to the track but the spur is an isolated block and the power from the brick is turned off.  There is continuity between the fixed voltage supply and the middle rail.  Looks like I missed a step!  The two sources are in phase but I still want the supply to be separated.  Is there a connection under the track that I need to address?

Thanks Steve, Rod and Arthur.  I just figured out the problem today.  In reading Peter Riddle's chapter on operating tracks (Wiring Your Toy Train Layout), I find that I mistakenly continued the accessory power wire to connection #3 on the track as well as to the controller.  Power to the controller is all that I needed.  I removed the connection to the #3 post and all is well now.  The track operates now at whatever voltage I set and no power continues to other track sections.  Thank you all very much.

Thanks Steve, Rod and Arthur.  I just figured out the problem today.  In reading Peter Riddle's chapter on operating tracks (Wiring Your Toy Train Layout), I find that I mistakenly continued the accessory power wire to connection #3 on the track as well as to the controller.  Power to the controller is all that I needed.  I removed the connection to the #3 post and all is well now.  The track operates now at whatever voltage I set and no power continues to other track sections.  Thank you all very much.

Richard, I'm glad you were able to find the solution and get it working.  That's got to be a good feeling.

We were all amateurs once.  Some earlier than others. Don't despair, it will suddenly get easier.

Yes, even if not suddenly, at least as we continue learning, it definitely does get easier the more you keep at it.

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