I have a 392E steam locomotive on my outside main line. About 50 feet of track on main line. I only have 1 lockon on the main line. How many feet of track should there be in between lockons? Every 10 feet or so? The loco needs a lot of power and I am using a Z transformer. Pulling 5 freight cars plus a caboose with new MTH track. Should I add another lockon or 2? Also, my 385E can only pull 4 gondolas and 1 crane car (219). The crane car is very heavy and top heavy because of the over hanging boom. I wish I had a 408E to pull these cars, but I do not. What you think I should do? Maybe try another Z transformer, maybe my Z has been losing power or is weaker. Any help will do. Thanks.
Bob Nelson will probably sound in on this one, and he's the expert, but since I'm here right now....
I would definitely use at least one more lockon, maybe two. Also, make sure you are using big enough wire. At least 12 gauge, or even 10. That won't fit into the lockon, but you can use a smaller feeder between the lockon and the larger wire. Small-gauge wire causes resistance that is multiplied over the length of the wire, so you can get away with short pieces of smaller gauge.
Have also lately heard some people commenting about bad welds between the rails and the contacts in MTH Realtrax, so that would be something else to check. In fact, check that first. I am not at all familiar with MTH track products, so I can't tell you where to look, but only that I have heard that this can be a problem.
Finally, make sure that your loco is clean (wheels and insides) and lubed, so that it is not working harder than it has to.
Well, I replaced the smaller wire with 14 AWG wire and it does work better. But, I have to add another lockon on the other side of the layout. How many freight cars can a 392E and 385E pull safely?? I mean, without putting too much strain on the locomotive. I have 5 cars and a caboose behind my tender on my 392E. Seems to work good and I thought I was pulling too many cars, thus not making it around the layout. But, It was the wiring, just need thicker wire. One last question, I am looking for more standard gauge switches, like the 222 or 223 switches. Does not matter, the green or black ones, but I need some the work with the 222 controllers. It is hard to find working switches for standard, most of the motors inside the switches are blown or dont work as well anymore. Know where I can find 222 or 223 switches for a good price? I like original vintage standard gauge switches. Thanks.
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