Lionel Train Lose Power

• Lionel Train Lose Power
  Posted by chosen1 on 18 Sep, 2013 13:11
• hello,
  i am new to this hobby train. i purchased a lionel train set, including inside is an 80W Transformer. i purchased and expansion railway. the track set is now 14 meters long. the Locomotives loses its strength towards the farthest side of the track (7m away from the transformer) to a point it almost screeching to a halt. and beyond that, the locomotive regain its power slowly and back to normal pace as it nears the transformer.
  
  What can i do to make the train running smoothly throughout the 14 meters long track? A Lionel tech support suggested me to replace the 80W transformer to a bigger 180W transformer.
  Do you have other opinion, an alternative solution?
  
  Regards
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by chessie41 on 18 Sep, 2013 15:04
• You need to put feeder wire in your track to help with voltage drop and also if your using lionel fastrack squeeze the center rail with pliers a bit.   
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by djacobsen on 18 Sep, 2013 17:16
• Frans,
  Welcome to the Forum!
  I agree with Chessie 41 on adding additional feeder lines to your track.
  That should solve your problem.  Let us know your results.
  
  Dave
  
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by chosen1 on 18 Sep, 2013 21:14
• wow.
  i didnt expect to receive answers so fast. i appreciate them.
  can you elaborate further on feeder wire? this wire should i connect to the weakest spot on the rail? and where does this other end of the wire goes? to my current transformer?
  thanks guys
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by chessie41 on 28 Sep, 2013 20:15
• Yes you want to hook to weakest track. Then run the wire hook it to transformer to your red and black terminal. If you don't have to big layout you may only need one or two feeder wires. 
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by vallieone on 14 Feb, 2014 19:27
• Chessie 41 thanks for the tip to squeese the center rail with pliers.  That did the trick for my 9 x 5 layout.
  
  George
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by Oscalerail on 22 Feb, 2014 21:52
• In the beginning stages of my layout, which currently has almost 100 different track pieces, I began with a small loop, and moved up. I would recommend replacing the track that does not provide power, and then if that does not work, just go ahead and upgrade to a powerful transformer that you can keep for any size layout. I did a review on the MTH Z4000 400 Watt Transformer last year, after I had it for 6 months. I have had it, now, for 14 months and I love it. Also, if you have any switch track, be sure to wire them for fixed voltage.
  
  Here is the review:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZeYOTClHLc&list=UURIdaxu2Zn2iXOLthUGiHoA&feature=c4-overview
  
  Thanks,
  TCR
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