Can I use an overhead wire for electric traction operation?
Yes, it is as feasible outdoors as in. You must remember not to trip over the lines, and in some areas protection from animals and children might be necessary. How do I maintain electrical continuity across rail joiners? The best way is by using jumper wires across the joint. Use braided wire and give it a little loop so it can flex as the track expands and contracts in the sun and seasons. If you are using brass rail, solder the jumper directly to the rail an inch or so on either side of the joiner. Use a really big soldering iron, say 250 watts. If you are using stainless or aluminum rail, tin the ends of the jumper wires and screw them to the rails with stainless-steel screws. You can also use a dielectric grease, available at hardware and automotive stores, in the rail joiners, but this is only a temporary solution. Rail joints can also be soldered, but if you solder your entire line into a monobloc, you run the risk of damage by excessive movement of the track. It can’t “breathe”
