Lionel O gauge New York Central Flyer bogging down. How do I reduce resistance??

[TimTRH]

 "You will probably get the best answer if you post this question in the classic toy train forum, which you can access through this page (see upper right bar).The folks in here mainly model in HO and N scale."

Ok - I have seen this type of comment so many times now and I have to ask what am i missing? I thought I was in the CTT forum, and we here are all O users. Are these posts starting somewhere else, and showing up here? Just curious

[servoguy]

One more comment about the train flying on part of the track and running slow on other parts. The friction increases dramatically when the engine is in a curve as compared to a straight track. The wheels are on a solid axle, and so have to slip somewhat when the engine is rounding a curve. Traction tires and magne-traction aggravate this problem. I don't have an easy fix for this. Bruce Baker

[servoguy]

I am using some old and some new track. Some of the old track and some of the 022 switches are somewhat rusty. If the pins are rusty, I pull them out and clean them on a wire wheel. I use a small rat tail file to clean out the ends of the track sections. I have done this on a rather large layout that is on the floor in two bedrooms, and I now need very few feeds to get good running. The track runs under my bed, and I still have at least one joint that is not so good under the bed (where else?). Here is what else I do to make good connections between sections. I bend the center rail where the pin is installed to the right and bend the left rail to the left. I bend the rails enough to move the end of the pin about half the diameter of the pin. Now when I put the sections together, there is pressure on the ends of the pins so they make a good connection. There is also pressure on the ends of the pins that is installed in the track section, so that both ends of the pins are making good connection. If you do this, you will only have to do it once. If you put the track sections together, and then take them apart, you do not have to do any bending when you put the track together again. I have always had trouble getting good electrical contacts at the joints until I started using this method. It really works well. Bruce Baker

[Easyrider1269]

Ok. I appologize. I'll head over to the toy train forum.

 Looks like it's double posted now. Again, sorry about that.

[IRONROOSTER]

 First I suggest you repost this on the Classic Toy Trains Forum.  That's where the Lionel guys hang out.

Otherwise I think you have found your problem in the joints.  I would replace the pins rather than clean them.  If it's only a few sections with problems, I would replace those.  It sounds like you are using old track if you have to squeeze the joints, if so cleaning the insides of the rail at the ends may be necessary also.

Good luck

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

 Easyrider,

there seems to be a severe drop in voltage due to a bad connection, hampering conductivity. How to remedy this the best way with the type of track you are using, escapes my knowledge, though. You will probably get the best answer if you post this question in the classic toy train forum, which you can access through this page (see upper right bar).

The folks in here mainly model in HO and N scale.

[Easyrider1269]

Hello,

I am in the process of building an O-gauge layout in my son's room. I built a shelf about 18" from the ceiling and went around the room. It's about 48' long. The shelf looks great and the train operates good. Before I start adding trees, buildings, bridges, etc., I have a problem...

The problem I'm having is the train bogs down at two of the corners nearest the power lock-on. And on the other side of the layout, it flies down the track and almost de-rails on the final turn. This is frustrating because when I slow the train down on the fast section, it comes to almost a complete stop on the bogging sections. I've purchased 3 additional lock-ons and bused power all the way around and it didn't help. I noticed when I took some of the track apart and used pliers to squeeze the joints a little and then put it back together, it smoothed out.

So do I need to take the whole thing apart and tighten each connection with pliers, or is there a cleaner I can use to clean the pins?

Oh, I'm using regular O-scale (black ties) track.

Help please. :)

Thanks