track problems

[dblair]

I am new to model railroading, just made my first layout using atlas code 83 track it is a 4 x 8 oval at this time. I went to test the track and I get no power to the track. I used a atlas terminal track I have an old Bachman controller checked that it is working, checked that the engine is working, tested on a couple of track sections and the engine powered right up. Power to the terminal screw lugs, tried putting power direct to the track and nothing. Help

[edwardsutorik]

You need a tester. Here's one for $13 you can get tomorrow:


www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Voltage-Tester/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_18?crid=3E8C0TBRJK2XG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nLHMC8wH_y_PyoCIagNjp_y9JXwlUMKFD_odH-ghDodLiI4q1qVX6PhJ89Il3HhMz5n0Uj2306zwbrLvchwvWI1yIt8QhYHa1Aqr7nDG9_zNupmmxi2olJBIoc71GowKwzzzM4EJ4gM0DxkzBKfpdqy2cYdm-hxYqBh3QUQ1aJxWHpq-rjPVXuYVAgNAPbBIMmNgIpefYQbq9yAy0K-x13MsHKLYz0fO_8Luo4JC6F9cQMiMGEVTL15htH2ZXzjTK4Agao11cZTTC5tnrjUIqFILOewsVrPUSyNryEQdqqU.szT_AlYlP1RJYnvD4r9-e5uTBF4jXrcc_0kE2VxtOLw&dib_tag=se&keywords=12%2Bvolt%2Btester&qid=1730941515&sprefix=12%2Bvolt%2Btester%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-18&th=1


When you get it, test to see if you're getting voltage on the terminal screws. Then test the track rails.

This will be very informative.

This tool might be intimidating. You can go to Youtube to learn how to use it, or you can ask a question here.




Ed

[dblair]

I have a tester, I am getting voltage to terminal screws, but hot to the rails??

[edwardsutorik]

Nov 6, 2024 20:10:13 GMT -8 dblair said:

I have a tester, I am getting voltage to terminal screws, but hot to the rails??

Then you have a bad terminal track.

In a situation like this, the problem will be between the last "section" that has power, and the first "section" that doesn't.


Ed

[wjstix]

You can look under the track, to see if there's a disconnect between the terminals and the rails. Fortunately, terminal tracks or code 83 powered rail joiners aren't that expensive - and on your layout, you'll probably eventually want more than one power connection anyway.