Slowing of engines during continuous run

[butch1]

I am running two continuous loops for christmas, and I notice that the engines get slower and slower, and after about 10 minutes, I need to move the transformer handle so they don't stop on an uphill climb.

1032 and 1033 transformers

2037 and 1110 engines

0-27 track

This is nothing new.  I have noticed this other years with other engines and a ZW transformer.

What is causing this?

[laz 57]

BUTCH1,

  Try to add a few more lockons to your loop, this will put the juice a little more evenly around the circut.  Hope this helps?

laz57

[butch1]

This is not a situation where there are locations with slowing.  On the entire loop, the train slows over time.

I have 2 lockons: plenty for the small loop I have.

[Phoebe Vet]

Heat buildup is causing things to expand and bind in your engines.

[Wes Whitmore]

If switching the trains to the other loop (where the track is different, the transformer is different), then I would check your input voltage.  I would get out a meter and make sure your voltage isn't dropping on the input and the output of the transformer, since you probably have the tree and the trains on the same outlet.  It's not likely that the input voltage is moving around that much, but you never know without measuring it.

Do either of these trains suffer the same issue on your "permenant" track? 

 edit- Ok, I like the post above mine better...

[lionelsoni]

In metals, electrical resistance increases with temperature.  The increase from room temperature to the boiling point of water is about 25 percent.  My guess is that your locomotives or transformer or both are getting hot.

[brianel027]

Butch I notice the same thing especially with open frame AC motors, be they of the postwar or MPC eras of Lionel. So I'd have to go with Bob's explanation. And I also have feeder wires, and it makes little difference over the course of an extended continuous running. Though I do notice that the DC can motored locos don't do this nearly as quickly. I can run for longer periods with these locos versus the postwar and MPC types.

Some years ago there was a TM video with that guy Lou (who writes that column in Classic Toy Trains magazine) who owns the Underground Train Shop. He mentioned on his store layout that he uses one of the digitial things called "Station Stop" I believe. Where the train automatically stops at a particular point on every lap around the layout. Lou claimed this kept his transformer from overheating and that he could run trains for long periods with no trouble. He also said for this purpose he also preferred the more modern less expensive DC can motored locomotives.

[butch1]

I will check output voltage of the transformer first.  Then if that is changing, I will check the input side.

No tree. 

No permanent track, but this has happened before, on other layouts with other engines and my ZW.

[arkady]

I'm no electrical engineer, so you can take this however seriously you want. However, real-world electric locomotives have what's called a starting rating (sometimes called the "one-hour" rating) and a continuous rating. That is, electric motors operate at their maximum efficiency when they're cold. As they run, the coils heat up and become less efficient, so the motor produces less power over time, up to a point. For more details, see the chapter "The Electric Locomotive," in Trains, Tracks and Travel by Thurman and Russell van Metre.

I suspect that the same effect may be involved in our tabletop trains as well.

[sir james I]

Yep heat will do it. Make sure engines and car wheels have been lubed/oiled. That will help.

[Train-O]

laz57,

Did you rendezvous at the Blue Comet Diner, by the Hazleton Depot and RR tracks, for you hunt?

Also, any new model electric train goodies?

Merry Christmas,

Ralph

[laz 57]

HI RALPH,

  MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too.  I was in Hazleton the past 2 Saturdays and one day ate in the BLUE COMET and the other day just a little south on 309 at the BELTWAY DINER.  Both were great.  Nice new depot in Hazleton, looks great.  No new train purchases.  Have a good one,

laz57

[Train-O]

laz57,

My wife, who has been nursing her mother in Nanticoke, and an ex sister-in-law were in the Blue Comet sometime last week.

They shopped in Hazleton and since my wife and I ate at the Blue Comet and liked it and the area (you know trains), my wife had to go there again.

No new trains, so far, here either.
I hope Santa Claus is paying attention-Lionel 2006 Lackawanna RR., F.M. T.M., please. 

Take Care,

Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year,

Ralph