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I am baffled! Several different locos are expierencing the same problem on one of my mainlines. They all, seem to run fine at times and then suddenly, slow down and even stop dead, while the transformer is, wide-open! I tested the track with a DC voltage meter, and it shows I have 14 volts, everywhere along the track, with the transformer opened up, full throttle. There is no loss of power in the track-but still, the engines jerk and run, go fast in some points and nothing, in other spots! I keep my tracks cleaned, regularly, they are all, soldered-tight joints, using liquid flux, the wires soldered to the rails are single-strand, 22ga. All locos have clean wheels. I don't understand why, for 16 months everything has been running great and all-of-a-sudden, today, this problem presents itself, to me? My layout is in, a continually, controlled environment, where the temp. stays @ about 68 to 74 degrees. I have tried using another transformer, and I still get the same results!!!! My mainline runs for 75feet. I can run the ailing locos on another track and they run, fine. Can someone help me with this situation???
Posts: 144 | From: Yanceyville,NC. USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Not being there, it is hard to diagnose from a distance, but you seem to have eliminated the power pack and track. I would next attempt to trace the power path in the other direction. You say the loco's wheels are clean, so go to the next step, and disassemble the loco, and trace the power path to the motor. I ran into trouble with some Atlas locos, where the brass wheel wipers were dirty and no longer picking up clean power from the backs of the wheels. A thourough cleaning may be all it takes. Make sure you're getting a solid powwer path all the way to the motor brushes. MOPAC 1
Posts: 9 | From: Garden City, KS. U.S.A. | Registered: Aug 2000
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Richard, I suspect that Mopac 1 is on the mark. The only questions I would have is how you are cleaning your track and wheels and do you live in an area of high humidity? Is there any possibility that you may have developed small amounts of warpage in your road bed? I have had locos in the past where nothing short of a dremel tool with a wire brush in it (which I don't normaly reccomend) would restore conductivity. Oh, do these locos have "blackend" wheels? Many times, though they are more prototypical to look at, the blackening may look clean but still need a good cleaning-again maybe with that wire brush. Let us know when you resolve the problem. There is always another twist to the track/motor conductivity problem. Scott
Posts: 127 | From: Gunnison, CO, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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Richard, I posted a reply yesterday, but see that it did'nt make it for some reason!! I think it may also be worth a look at your track and connections as well. I had this very same problem, and it turned out to be a crack in the solder between the wire and rail. Because it was only cracked, sometimes there was plenty of power, other times engines would slow and stall. It could also be cracked solder between your rail connections. Worth checking again!! Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John
------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!
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What type of liquid flux are you using? If it is a acid, be sure to clean up the connection after you solder, or the acid can keep working and may be corroding the connections enough to cause the problem.
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Tom H: Thanks, for your reply! I used Liquid, rosin-core, solder. No ACID for me...I found out it was a build-up of, "crud", behind my wheels @ the brass wipers! Thanks, again for your input. ....Richard Posts: 144 | From: Yanceyville,NC. USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Tom H: Thanks, for your reply! I used Liquid, rosin-core, solder. No ACID for me...I found out it was a build-up of, "crud", behind my wheels @ the brass wipers! Thanks, again for your input. ....Richard 
