Hayes bumpers item no. 44591

[uncrichard]

Good day
Why is there no rail joiner on the bumper track? I checked it with a meter and found no connection between the rails, the center piece of the bumper is plastic.

[Len]

Because no electrical connection is needed to the rails on the bumper. The plastic loops on the bumper and the track it connects to hold it in place.

Remember, a bumper is a safety device, it's not something you should be slamming into on a regular basis.

Len

[the Bach-man]

Also, two joiners could cause a short!
the Bach-man

[Jerrys HO]

Also, two joiners could cause a short!
the Bach-man

How? if they don't connect, how? Inquiring minds need to know. I have rail joiners on both rails and no short.

[the Bach-man]

Because sometimes the plastic piece that represents the actual bumper breaks free from the sides, which are metal. If they come together, short!
the Bach-man

[Trainman203]

That little bumper track is so short it doesn't need joiners or power at all...... unless you are trying  to run an 0-2-0 all the way down to the end.

[Jerrys HO]

That little bumper track is so short it doesn't need joiners or power at all...... unless you are trying  to run an 0-2-0 all the way down to the end.

How about powering an LED to make it a lighted bumper. HMMMMM now who would think of such an idea.
Adding the rail joiner keeps the rails at proper height.

[Trainman203]

Lionel had a 0-27 lighted bumper 60 years ago.  If there is a prototype for such a bumper I've never heard of it.

[ACY]

Actually they did exist in real life, but they were not very common,  and were generally only found at very large passenger terminals. I don't know of any instances where they were used in freight yards.