Using TMCC with GarGraves 5 Rail Track

[JPThut]

I am attempting to help solve a friend's problem occurring with a 5-rail (O gauge/Standard gauge) loop of track on his layout. We are attempting to operate using Lionel's TMCC control with O gauge locos. They do not respond to the Cab 1 except for an occassional whistle. The lights flicker indicating a response to the Cab 1 commands but the engines will not move. The sound comes on with track power-up, indicating they are not sensing a TMCC signal. The same TMCC command center operates trains normally on the layout's regular O gauge track and MTH locos operate normally on the 5-rail O gauge or standard gauge track. I am wondering if the extra rails on the 5-rail track are creating enough enterference to cause the problem with the TMCC signal. We would appreciate any input you may have,

Thanks,

JPThut

[rtraincollector]

Which rail is your TMCC base attached to? It should be attached to either rail #2 or #4. Unless you have made a 5 rail crossover it should not be effected. 

[JPThut]

I have tried it on all 4 of the "outside" rails with no difference in results. 

[SotaPop]

Would there be any benefit to splitting and attaching the TMCC to both rails 2 and 4?  Hopefully this would remove or reduce any interference with the signal.  Maybe try attaching the TMCC to rails 1,2,4 & 5.  It should receive the signal then!

I have a 5-railed layout in the design process now and I would encounter this same issue as I attach the TMCC for my O-scale trains to the 5-railed Gargraves track.

I’m curious as to the resolution on this issue.

[rtraincollector]

Have you tried just hooking up the center 3 rails. ie power to rails 2,3,&4 then hooking your tmcc to your outside railsmaking sure it is your - or ground rail. 

If that works any posibility of having a second transformer and hook the two up in series and that way they would share the + but that would be it. You may have to seperate the power to the standard gauge line from the O gauge line. And the only way I can see doing it, is to hook your transformers in series.

 

Just thought of something, if your getting everything but movement, try changing the batteries in the cab1 as I had low batteries one time and I had all but motion, it takes more for the signal to move than it does for sound or lights or even whistle.