Feeder wires

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have a box full of rail joiners with feeder wires attached (Atlas?).

Any thoughts on the merits of using these vs. soldering directly to the rails?

2

I would solder the railjoiners to the rail. That should be as good as soldering wires to the rail.
Enjoy
Paul

3

Depending on the size of the layout you’re building, I would use those rail joiners with feeder wires for every other rail joint on 3’ flex track straight sections, and leave the track joint unsoldered. This will allow for expansion and contraction with weather and temperature changes. I would solder the rail joiners on the alternate joints, and then solder a feeder wire to them separately. Why so many feeder wires? If you ever intend to run DCC, a feeder wire every 3’ will insure that you have no voltage drop or loose rail joint problems. I wired the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club’s 20 x 40 foot HO-scale layout that way, and we have experienced no electrical problems. The club’s prior layout had not been wired this way, and we had very erratic operation.

4

Terminal railjoiners every six feet? Is’nt that overkill?

5

Not if you want smooth DCC operation. One other important thing it the boosters need to shut down during shorts or it could potentially do some damage.