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I have had train for one year. bought last x-mas. only ran it ten days last year. could it be my track needs to be cleaned and is impeding(?) power? how to clean track?
Posts: 5 | From: independence, mo, usa | Registered: Dec 2002
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A sponge or cloth with silver polish on it is what I usually use. Rub the cloth back and forth until the rails begin to shine. It works pretty well, and you will see the "gunk" on the cloth that was once on the railheads. Do not use anything that is abrasive, because it will scratch your track, and you may have an even greater problem with electrical continuity and dirt. Rubbing alcohol also works, using the same technique as above. Once you're finished, wipe the rails with a clean, dry cloth. Another thing to do is clean the wheels of your locomotives and rolling stock- the same gunk on the rails will be picked up by the wheels. I usually use a hobby knife, and scrape it off without scratching the wheels (especially on the locomotives). On page 96 of the January 2003 issue of Model Railroader, there is an article about using metal polish to fight dirt. If you get the chance, you may want to read through it, or you can go to http://www.modelrailroader.com , and see if the article is there. Good luck!
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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thank you, could track being dirty affect the power to train? see power supply earlier posted.
Posts: 5 | From: independence, mo, usa | Registered: Dec 2002
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diannareed wrote: "Thank you, could track being dirty affect the power to train? see power supply earlier posted."
I've noticed that dirty track can stop a train altogether, if the powered wheels on the locomotive pass over it, and lose the power that is running through the track. The cleaner the track and wheels, the better performance you will have.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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thank you guys! train runs good after cleaning track. still only getting 15 volts to track have mrc 6200 should be getting more right?
Posts: 5 | From: independence, mo, usa | Registered: Dec 2002
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I have a MRC 9000 series(not made anymore) and according to the label has an output of 20VDC. When I put my volt/Ohm gauge to the back terminals, it reads approx 17 to 17.5, the same as on the track without any HO scale locos running on it.
According to the MRC chart in the Walthers reference book, the 6200 should deliver 18.5 DCc volts/3.6 amps of power to trains.
What gauge are you running, how many locos at the same time?
Posts: 213 | From: Grand Rapids Mi USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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# of powered units won't affect voltage..and the numbers Chuck gave seem within factory limits.. what you should be checking is the amount of current flowing for multiple units....not voltage
Posts: 140 | From: Kirksville, Mo | Registered: Dec 2002
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