Please excuse if already fully covered. Just starting out in this posting process.
What has been/is being done re combination of electrified track power and on board batteries?
It is certainly possible to have a combination of both.
Doing so does complicate the wiring inside the loco.
You will still have to maintain track conductivity and cleanliness. Which sort of defeats the purpose of having batteries. It has been my experience, that eventually the hybrid idea is abandoned and the locos run exclusively on battery power.
If you would care to give us an idea of what sorts of locos you intend using, and the method of operation you have in mind, more specific information will come from the many battery users who frequent this forum.
I was thinking about doing something like that for my LGB 2-4-0. I use the RCS system for my other locomotives, but track power for my 2-4-0. The hybrid idea would work great for locomotives that are used outside for layout use (batteries) and inside for use, as an example, around the Christmas tree (track power).
No reason you can’t do both. Here is a link for a “how to”. It references the Bachmann Big hauler, but the priciple is the same for any electric loco.
http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/construction/lsbuild/460mods.html
Y’all: Another new forum guy. I hope to run my garden railway (when built) on battery power exclusively. I have read severa articles re modifyiing rial power locos or batteries, but woudl like to find some locos already set up for battery running. Where might I look?