Power issues using Trainmaster Toy Transformer

[jwilharm]

I've been using an old Trainmaster Toy Transformer and it has worked fine for a few years.  However, now the locomotives are running more slowly and quite often they slow down and speed up again quickly.  Also, sometimes they just stop running, mainly near any of the 4 switches.  If I start the train again, the locomotive usually starts going in reverse.

 Does anyone know what may be causing this "power" issue?  If so, do you know how to fix this issue?  I actually tried a different transformer and was having the same issues. 

[hscsltb]

Is your track clean? Could be loose pins near the switches.

[jwilharm]

hscsltb

Is your track clean? Could be loose pins near the switches.

 

Thanks for the response.  So, do loose pins near the switches cause issues with performance across the entire layout?  

Also, where one of the black plastic pins typically go, I have used a piece of small black rubber since I am out of black plastic pins.  Could that be causing an issue?

[phillyreading]

What probally is happening more than anything else is that you are losing power thru the track connections, so try adding a couple more power lockons to solve the problem. You may need a power lockon every four sections of track to keep down the power loss. If the track is really dirty or rusty you may want to buy new track.

The pieces of rubber should not cause any problem. What is more likely to cause a problem is the placement of insulated track pins, basically in the wrong place.

Lee F.

[rlplionel]

As stated above, cleaning the track and adding more power lockons will probably take car of your power issues. Your engine goes in reverse when the train restarts because the e-unit has tripped as a result of the power interruption.

Robert

http://www.robertstrains.com/