Ello folks! Need some advice.
- Thread starter Brick Box
- Start date
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Yes, sounds like a mix of dirty track and/or poor connections, plus maybe some locos that are getting "sticky" through age... are you using rail clamps, or just relying on the push-fit rail joiners? You say your locos are old, but have they been run reasonably regularly or have they sat on a shelf for years?
As Gizzy says above, check all your track joints, apply some elbow grease with a track cleaning block, and see how it all goes then?
Jon.
As Gizzy says above, check all your track joints, apply some elbow grease with a track cleaning block, and see how it all goes then?
Jon.
Gerard
Geard Co-Author " Our Model Garden Railway"
Hi Brick Box,
1 If your locomotives run fine when powered via two wires connected to the power transformer, then the problem is indeed with the tracks and/or the locomotives’ current collectors.
2 First, check to make sure the current-collecting shoes are clean, and clean any current collectors on the inside of the wheels as well!
3 Next, the treads of the locomotives’ wheels must be thoroughly clean.
4 Finally, the top of the tracks must also be sufficiently clean; for example, you can sand the top clean with P900 sandpaper (attached to a sponge). I use that sandpaper on a pad measuring about 10 x 15 cm that I’ve attached to a stick at an angle of about 45 degrees. I’ve added two thin raised edges to the sides of this pad so that it stays centered on the rails when you run the stick diagonally downward across the track. Usually, one pass across the track at the start of the season (spring) is sufficient.
5 Finally, the connections between the individual rail sections must be highly conductive. This means that, before connecting the rails, you must brush away any corrosion from the rails beneath the fasteners using a wire brush. Then, always apply some copper grease to the connection (e.g., Molycote, which is resistant to rain and temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius!), which ensures that corrosion no longer occurs and that you always have a good electrical connection. This applies to both the standard sliding rail connection and the clamp couplings with two screws.
Succes!
Gerard
1 If your locomotives run fine when powered via two wires connected to the power transformer, then the problem is indeed with the tracks and/or the locomotives’ current collectors.
2 First, check to make sure the current-collecting shoes are clean, and clean any current collectors on the inside of the wheels as well!
3 Next, the treads of the locomotives’ wheels must be thoroughly clean.
4 Finally, the top of the tracks must also be sufficiently clean; for example, you can sand the top clean with P900 sandpaper (attached to a sponge). I use that sandpaper on a pad measuring about 10 x 15 cm that I’ve attached to a stick at an angle of about 45 degrees. I’ve added two thin raised edges to the sides of this pad so that it stays centered on the rails when you run the stick diagonally downward across the track. Usually, one pass across the track at the start of the season (spring) is sufficient.
5 Finally, the connections between the individual rail sections must be highly conductive. This means that, before connecting the rails, you must brush away any corrosion from the rails beneath the fasteners using a wire brush. Then, always apply some copper grease to the connection (e.g., Molycote, which is resistant to rain and temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius!), which ensures that corrosion no longer occurs and that you always have a good electrical connection. This applies to both the standard sliding rail connection and the clamp couplings with two screws.
Succes!
Gerard
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Previous advice the most likely and first things to check. Depending on make and age some of your loco's may have a fractured gear(s) in their drive trains that can manfest in the same way. Happens with a lot of older Bachman made large scale products - "Big Hauler" & "Spectrum" ranges. Been there done that.
Similar threads
