Quote from: armorsmith on March 23, 2014, 11:54:12 AM
Steve,
Being as you are posting on the Bachmann forum, I will make the assumption that the question is relative to the Bacmann brand of track. If you are referring to the stampes steel track that comes with every starter set, I don't think many of the track clamps work well as the track does not have a profile compatible with others clamps.
Bachmann's latest brass track offering on the other hand looks like it will work well with all the rail clamps. Of those I like the least are the SanVal Conductors.  They are manufactured from stainless steel with stainless steel screws. On the surface one would think the stainless steel would be better - only if you are going to install them ONE TIME ONLY.  The reason for this is the screws are tapped straight into the base plate. When the bottom surface of the screw head contacts the top surface of the rail head it does so on the outer edge of the head creating an eccentric loading on the screw.  This eccentric loading will cause the threads of the screw to gall.

This will make the screw impossible to rwmove later.  I have had success with these clamps by replacinh the screws with either plain steel or brass. Yhe addition on an anti-sieze compound also works well.
Otherwise Bill is correct - Hillman, Split-Jaw, Train-Li, Aristo Craft and others all work well. I prefer some to others, but that is a personal thing.
Bob C.

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on March 23, 2014, 10:35:27 AM
Hi Steve,

All the different types work fine for me.  There are many different types used for different purposes.  some can be clamped over a rail joiner others clamp directly to the rail. Some include a spacer that provides an electrical gap for block control. some have a tab for connecting a feeder wires. 

I have used almost every brand because I buy used at railroad meets, or get excess from friends.  I never had an electric continuity failure when correctly installed.

If I were still using electric track power, I would use clamps on every joint!


Bill

Yes Bill, I remember you saying that.....that you have never had a failure with the clamps, as opposed to joiners that fail when needing a cleaning or it is corrosive.  You also told me that they are more expensive than joiners but worth the cost.
See i do listen to ya.  You have taught me somethings on this board.  Kinda like a mentor.     That is the plan...to have clamps on every section of track.

Quote from: kewatin on November 20, 2013, 03:07:29 PM
sir you can check the status of your repair if you have signed up for an account/ normally i send a request to them thru my account to service dept for a repair # they post it and you put that number along with your loco and send it to the service dept with the repair # and they will post when it was repaired or replaced and sent back to customer. like the previous poster said you can also phone  to inquire ,but again all this works more smoothly if you have a repair number. i have been doing it this way for past 4 yrs and it has worked well for me. also this is the start of the busy season for the service dept so patience is definately needed. hope this helps you resolving your problem.
regards &later KEWATIN

Quote from: Larry S. on January 16, 2013, 07:12:18 PM
We use a transformer like that at our annual train show. I run a 4-6-0 on a 60' oval all day with no problem. On an outside layout, good connections and clean track are vital. Service the engine on a regular basis. As said earlier, rain and moisture are the enemies of transformers.

Larry I just restocked my oils and grease in November. My connections are pretty good, but the track runs under 4 different rose bushes throughout the layout.  I am NOT allowed to touch the rose bushes per the engineer of the house (Sherry).  So I bought a sander with a pole which makes quick work of it. I do not have to bend down either that way.  I usually am cleaning that area of the track a couple of times a week. On the first point you made I have to watch because I tend to over lubricate the locomotive, which is a bad thing (not sure why).

Quote from: Chuck N on January 16, 2013, 05:41:08 PM
Steve

That will be problem free with one or two engines.  Even with smoke sound and lights.  Do not leave the power supply out when not in use.  Heat and cold is not a problem, but wet IS.

Chuck

PS I like the way you have made a loop, rather than a reversing loop.