if it makes you feel any better the closest one to me is about 2 hours away.  If you know someone in construction they can probably get you some.

Home depot has it.

I, like the super genius I am decided to glue it down using dap sealant I let it dry ran my finger over it and it was smooth all the way around.  I then put on the ballast and sealed it.  Here is what I think happened as I was spraying the ballast (water & 70% alc) I think it somehow loosened the sealant enough for it to shift ( code 55 flex).

My first track laying went bad.  after letting the glue dry for over 24 hours somehow my track separated some in the joiners.  The train runs but when it gets to this area it clicks and slows for a sec.  Any advice before I rip it up and start again.

As a person who works on poles I can tell you Ken is right.  The spacing depends on the terrain.  I live in Kentucky and there are places where our poles are 50 feet apart and places where they go up to about 200 feet.  They also vary in height anywhere from 15 feet (yes i'm serious) to 100 feet tall.  I work on the Tv line and I have never had to go over 65 feet to reach it and only a couple times to that height Cable is normally only about 30-40 feet up.

WOW  that accidental word needs fixed.  LOL

I have read that a wireless router can cause this.  Though they work on RF and not IR so I am not sure why it would cause an issue but they said resetting the router can help.

What frequency does the controller work on?

Total run time has been maybe 15 mins.  it was stuttering so I assumed I had an electrical stability issue and stopped it.  If it was HO I would have just soldered it first but this is a bit more daunting on N.

it appears to be tight here but I will add some solder to be sure.  That won't void my warranty will it?

it is a Bachmann 2-6-2 and as I watch it it does not hit the trackbed.  If I speed it up it will make it around the track with just light stutters.



http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=804

It is atlas track code 55 though I imagine the same thing would work.  This is pretty much what I figured, though I wondered if it would be better to solder the joiners as opposed to crimping them some?

Brand new track and loco,  I have cleaned it with 70% alcohol both track and wheels ( by putting alcohol on a paper towel and setting it on the track holding the loco while running it on it).

I am assuming my problem is resulting from loose rail joiners, causing spotty electrical stability.


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jerry, Thank you for the detailed response.  It was considerably helpful.  This will be my first layout and will be freelanced I am not super interested in prototyping at the moment ( that may change as I learn and my skill level advances).