Legacy/TMCC signal problems

[overall]

All,

I have a particular Legacy diesel that has problems receiving the signal at a particular place on the track.  It does fine everywhere else. Also, I have several other Legacy and TMCC locomotives that have no signal problems anywhere on my layout. On the problem engine, the lights will flash and the engine will stop. I have already cleaned the track with a “bright boy”( this is a device the HO guys use, it looks like an eraser). I have heard that if I run a wire alongside this place in the track that is tied to the house grounding wire, that will strengthen the signal. I plan on tying a #16 stranded copper wire to the third terminal of a standard three prong plug and simply placing that wire close by to the track without actually connecting it to the track. The three prong plug will simply be plugged in to the outlet in the wall. Will this work?

[lionelsoni]

Whether it will make your Legacy system work, I don't know.  But it should get you the ground that you're looking for.  You might want to check the outlet to be sure that the equipment-ground terminal is properly connected.  You should see 120 volts AC between it and the terminal immediately counter-clockwise from it and 0 (or almost 0) volts between it and the terminal immediately clockwise from it.

[Buckeye Riveter]

overall

All,

I have a particular Legacy diesel that has problems receiving the signal at a particular place on the track.  It does fine everywhere else. Also, I have several other Legacy and TMCC locomotives that have no signal problems anywhere on my layout. On the problem engine, the lights will flash and the engine will stop. I have already cleaned the track with a “bright boy”( this is a device the HO guys use, it looks like an eraser). I have heard that if I run a wire alongside this place in the track that is tied to the house grounding wire, that will strengthen the signal. I plan on tying a #16 stranded copper wire to the third terminal of a standard three prong plug and simply placing that wire close by to the track without actually connecting it to the track. The three prong plug will simply be plugged in to the outlet in the wall. Will this work?

 

 

Here's what I do when I have a signal problem on a specific engine at a specific spot:

1. Clean the track including the inside face of the outer two rails with either Goo Gone or an electric parts cleaner.
2. Clean the locomotives pick up rollers and contact wheels with either Goo Gone or electric parts cleaner.  I also use my Dremel to get the gunk off.  Don't mess with the traction tires.
3. Remove the shell and make sure the antenna is at the top of the shell.  Re-tape with electrical tape if necessary.  Believe it or not, if an antenna wire is not at the top of the shell, I have found the command reponse sluggish.
4. Check the connection of the antenna to the Legacy board. This a real weak point in the system.
5. Check other connections while the cab is off.
6. Reprogram the locomotive per instructions.

Normally after I get steps 1 & 2 completed the problem is solved.  Just last week my Williams Trainmaster FM with TMCC was losing the signal in a hidden curve and after steps 1 & 2 everything was perfect.

 

I am not a fan of bright boy because it only cleans the top of the rail.  No matter what you use to clean track, wipe any residue off with a clean cloth.

 

 

I'm not sure you have a signal problem when the other locomotives seem to be performing as expected.  When you have a signal problem the majority of the locomotives experience unpredictable performance including stopping and racing at full speeds. 

Good luck.

 

[overall]

Thanks to the both of you for you replies. I am going to try all the advice and hopefully get this thing fixed.

George