Track Links

[Flying Scouser]

Can any one tell me how I use the track links please I have a GWR Hornby train set that came with track A extension, I bought extension packs B C and D I set the track up with the extensions, the outer oval works fine but the inner oval has no power, I got 2 track links with one of the extension packs and I assume these link the tracks so power comes to the inner oval. How do you connect the track links, can someone please inform me. I am a complete Novice

Thanks

Flying Scouser

[2e0dtoeric]

Welcome to the forum, Scouse.

This question comes up every couple of days - and there are dozens of replies, if you look around the threads!

You can connect the inner loop to the outer loop, using the links, but that means if you have two trains, one on each loop, BOTH will work at the same time.

If you really want to do that, all you need to do is connect the outer loop to the inner, using the link - but you MUST keep the wires the same way round - ie the red wire to the outside rail of both loops, and the black to the inside rail of both loops.

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What most people do, though is have two controllers, one for each loop. If you do that, you MUST electrically separate the two loops by replacing the metal rail-joiners in between the two sets of points - with plastic ones, so no electric can flow from one loop top the other.

Then, when you want to move a train from one loop to the other, set BOTH controllers to roughly the same speed, and the same DIRECTION, then your train will happily cross over.

 

[Chrissaf]

Scouser, welcome to the forum with your 1st post.

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I wrote a "Getting Started with Extension Track Packs Guide" document to answer the very question you have raised. It is 32 pages of in depth description on how to put together and connect all the various track packs for both DC and DCC control environments. I'm surprised that Eric (2e0) didn't point you to it in his post. I wrote it for the very reason Eric alluded to in his reply, the frequency that the question gets asked

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You will find the download link for my document in the locked post (yellow padlock icon) of the same name (shown above in bold) at the top of the forum 'General Section'. It's only been published a few weeks, so please come back and reply in this (Comments) post (click red link) with feedback if you find it useful or not.

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With regard to your specific question relating to how to use the R8201 Link Wires to connect the inner and outer ovals. This is specifically covered in my document in Figures 11 & 12 on pages 14 & 15 respectively.

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Chris

[2e0dtoeric]

Simple, Chrissaf - I haven't looked at your tutorial, so I wasn't aware that the question of linking tracks was covered!