I am giving a try to weathered track but have a lot of problems getting good electric contact. I have sanded the top of the rails and a little the edges of each end of the flex track ( HOn3 code 70) and have sodered the electric wires to the rail joiners rather than the track. MY engines run fine on the regular track. What should I do?
Lourdes
Lourdes,
Have you painted all of your track or just a small portion?
I’ve found it better to paint the track AFTER it is down and tested.
If the track was weathered before the rail joiners were put on you may not be getting good rail to joiner electrical contact.
Good luck
Paul
I paint my track with an airbrush after it is down, I first wipe the top of the rail with modelflex cleaner then I go back and use 91% isopropyl alcohol and wipe again. I have never had a problem. When you wipe the track, try and use your nail and scrape and wipe at the same time, this way you won’t accidentally remove to much paint…Mike
When you clean the track after weathering, remember to clean the top inside portion of the rail heads - that’s where much of the contact is made with the wheels. Your description makes it sound like you painted the track before installation, which could be a problem if you didn’t solder the rail joiners in place and otherwise ensure the feeders are actually delivering power to the rails. Check the track with a meter and see what voltage you’re getting at the rail heads; if you’re not seeing a satisfactory readout with the power supply on full the problem is with the joiners/feeders.
Thank you all for your answers. The track was purchased weathered. But I see what I was doing wrong. I did not sand the track good enough where the rail joiners go. I need work slower, be more thourough.
I use Micro Engineering pre-blackened track/rail a lot. One of my favorite ways to clean the blackener from a future solder joint is with a wire brush attachment in a motor tool; a few seconds work and you’re ready. Another good tool is a fiberglass eraser.