Engine Problem

[Anonymous]

I have a Bachman Spectrum 2-8-0 with tender (#11414) around $85 unit that goes around 20 feet on my mainline and then causes an overload on my transformer. There is no other connecting track to the main line. I've run diesel style engines without any problem whatsoever it's only with this steam engine that I have the problem . I checked the voltage on the track with a meter and it's pretty consistent. In fact it seems like the voltage drops as the 2-8-0 engine runs along the track until it causes the overload. The voltage while diesels are running appears to increase. I' m not an electirical guru but wonder if any oneone has an idea of the cause of the problem. Do steam styles draw more current ? Why would it run and then cause an overload ? , you'd think either it would run or it wouldn't. Much appreciated for all ideas.

[willy6]

anything that causes an electrical overload is a short.to start i would check track resistance at the stopping point and loco resistance.based on what you said I would think something in the locomotive is heating up causing the overload problem/hi amp use like an output transistor in a stereo system.

[Anonymous]

I resolved the issue you'll never guess what it was I had replaced the rear truck on the tender and had the wheels on the wrong side. I never realized that one side of the wheels are insulated and the other is not. The insulated side needs to be oppostie of the front tender wheels or it'll short ! Good lesson learned for anyone reading this.