A conundrum

[Ponz]

I am running two trains with an old ZW.  One train on a continuous outer loop on an 8x9 table and the 2nd train running on a reverse Y layout within the outer loop.  Initially, the trains or lone engines, would slow substantially, ON BOTH LAYOUTS (tracks) when the whistle switch was pushed so I replaced the whistle switch rectifiers with modern diodes. Slowing issue resolved on outer track, but now the engines speed up on the inner track.

Now, engines on the outer loop behave 'normally' without slowing at all or speeding up when the whistle switch is pushed BUT oddly enough the train/engines on the inner layout now SPEED up an whistle when the whistle switch is pushed!  And this occurs even while running the inner track by itself without the outer rail being run.

A friend and I though it might be due to a voltage drop since the inside layout contains MUCH more track (at least 60 feet worth) and three switches, so I upgraded all the wires to a thicker gauge -  10 gauge bus/loop around the perimeter of the inside layout with several drops attached to it.

Important: Mind you, there is no issue running the same transformer channel on the outside loop, with same engine.

What in the world am I missing here?  As I mentioned, it can't be anything with the transformer as process of elimination has ruled that out.

Here's a video of the layout if it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-eZW-t3MqI

Please keep in mind that both channels ran the both engines SLOWER before I replaced the rectifiers with diodes.

Thanks - Ponz

[Leverettrailfan]

I watched the video, but didn’t see the problem demonstrated. But I’m puzzled by your problem too! It isn’t the transformer, but you confirmed it isn’t the train, either? It has to be one or the other, because track wouldn’t cause an issue like that. It honestly does sound like a train issue, but you say that it works fine on the outside, it only does that on the inside. How many trains with horns/whistles, have you tested this with? Try a few more locos, and see if you spot the same behavior. If you do, it’s the transformer. If you don’t, there must be something wrong with the loco. I doubt it could be track, because it sounds like your wiring is all properly secured, so it can’t be that. But loose connections could contribute to problems, so it can’t hurt to double check that all your connections are soldered properly, or clipped in tightly, if you are using clips.

 

[Ponz]

[quote user="Leverettrailfan"]

I watched the video, but didn’t see the problem demonstrated. But I’m puzzled by your problem too! It isn’t the transformer, but you confirmed it isn’t the train, either? It has to be one or the other, because track wouldn’t cause an issue like that. It honestly does sound like a train issue, but you say that it works fine on the outside, it only does that on the inside. How many trains with horns/whistles, have you tested this with? Try a few more locos, and see if you spot the same behavior. If you do, it’s the transformer. If you don’t, there must be something wrong with the loco. I doubt it could be track, because it sounds like your wiring is all properly secured, so it can’t be that. But loose connections could contribute to problems, so it can’t hurt to double check that all your connections are soldered properly, or clipped in tightly, if you are using clips.

 I finally figured it out!  The contacts on the culprit side whistle switch are positioned, in such a way, that if I push the slightest bit too far the horn will blow AND the train speeds up!  Issue solved -User error.  Doh!

 

Thanks - Ponz

[ADCX Rob]

Ponz

The contacts on the culprit side whistle switch are positioned, in such a way, that if I push the slightest bit too far the horn will blow AND the train speeds up...

That is, of course, how it is designed to work. That means the other side of the transformer is not working properly.