General Question

[Black Diamond]

Hey All,

          Just set up my annual train under the tree....everything is running smooth but I have a question....

I set the train at a moderate and consistent speed 40 percent throttle...and let it run....after about a hour or so....it has slowed to almost the point of almost stopping, with out adjusting the throttle. Why does it do this?

[sir james I]

They get too hot. give it some cool down time between runs including the transformer. Make sure you have oiled all the moving parts. Do not over oil. If you need to, use a toothpick with a drop of oil on it.

[Black Diamond]

ok I just wanted to make sure mine wasnt the only one that done that... Thanks James...

[phillyreading]

I was on the Bachmann forum recently and you may have a transformer that is too small for your power requirements.  Have you tried a 100 watt or larger transformer? That may solve your problem.

Passenger cars that have lights require more power than just freight cars being pulled.

Lee F.

[Black Diamond]

The Transformer I am running is a CW80, that came with the set. I left out  2 straight pieces of track (it made the track to big for under the tree). The set is the New york Central Flyer. I dont know, I have had this happen with outher various sets to. But that is a possibility, do you think Lionel would sell a set with a under rated transformer...one that is suffiecient, but over time of operating non stop for a hour or so...i dont know what happens its like memory in battries...it builds up over time to where u have to get to the point of throwing them away...run a train nonstop...eventully it comes to a crawl...till u got to readjust the throttle.

[DennisB-1]

I believe the set only comes with 4 straight tracks. By leaving out 2 straight pieces, the train  has more drag or resistance because it's  almost always going through the curves. This will definitely cause it to overheat because it doing more work, hence requiring more power, than it would otherwise.

[lionelsoni]

The transformer and the motor get warmer as they run.  Higher temperature increases the resistance of the wiring in both of them, reducing the current.  You then turn up the voltage to compensate for the increased voltage loss in the increased resistance and restore the current to its original value.

This heating is probably normal, especially if it takes a while to develop.  In any case, the transformer's overcurrent protection should take care of any dangerous current.  Note that, after you adjust the transformer's voltage upward, you are not increasing the current above what it was originally, just bringing it back up to where it was before.