When a train slows down and comes to a stop?

[silentman]

I've had this happen to a couple different engines both Marx and Lionel. Is there a cause for the engine to run fine for a bit (10-15 min) than just come to a stop? In my experience it always seems to be the cheaper ones (Lionel 242 as an example).  I run my trains in conventional mode with a postwar ZW, perform necessary maintenance etc. Do they need to be rewired?  Any opinions or experiences would  would be greatly appreciated.

[TrainLarry]

When your engines stop, is there still power to the track? Do the headlights still glow, or lighted cars stay lit? Do they stop at the same point on the tracks? Do all of your engines stop, or just some? Do they move if you give them a push? Do you have the e-units locked in forward? Do you have to wait a certain time period before they run again? Do you hear the circuit breaker trip?

The more information you give, the easier it is to help you diagnose the problem. There are many things that can cause an engine to stop, you need to help narrow the list down. Be very precise.

The locomotives should not need to be rewired unless the wiring is bad.

Larry

[silentman]

Thanks Larry. It is only a couple engines that are on the cheaper side that do it. The common theme is let them sit for 15-20 minutes and there running again for about the same time. These particular engines are locked in forward, the lights come on when they stop, they just seem to run out of gas.

[rtraincollector]

to me on the lionel one if it's modern sounds like your e-unit might be going into nuetral as most of them with no power for like 10 minutes will go back to default of forward I know you say locked in forward but it could be a faulty E-unit have you tried it with it not locked in and then try cycling the E-unit when it stops

[Plate Rail]

I know you mentioned the engines are maintained but those symptoms appear to indicate a lack of lubrication.  Once the engine stops does it feel overly warm or hot?

Bruce

[TrainLarry]

Thank you for the information, it is helpful.

You mentioned a #242 locomotive as being one of the problem locomotives. If so, then that is a 'Scout' type loco, and has a plastic motor that needs to have the wheels pulled off to service. If you can handle the removal and replacement of the wheels properly, then you can service the motor. If not, a trip to a repair shop will be needed.

What are the #'s of the other locomotives that give you the problem?

Larry

[silentman]

Currently focusing on the Lionel 242 and the Marx 597 postwar (commodore vanderbilt)? Sounds like it could be a host of potential issues instead of what I thought would be a more common theme? I did make a mistake saying this particular loop uses the ZW instead it is just a small oval using a Lionel type S transformer. I'll run these engines on the loop with the ZW and see if I get the same result.

[rtraincollector]

oops read wrong thought you meant 2-4-2 sorry so my suggestion no good.

[Michael6268]

I have a couple of engines that do that. Not to the extent of stopping unless running at very low speed and going into a curve maybe. I believe it has to do with the heat. Mine still run fine but I have to increase the throttle a little.