Last march my 10 year old grandson, corbyn said he would like to have a set of trains. In 1975 I bought a set of ho trains that I never set up, and have been in my attic ever since. Our 9 x 12 foot layout (CORBYN CITY) consists of all code 100 brass track, 25 locos, seven of which are steam, 22 turnouts, and 40 passenger and freight cars. Everything on the layout to date is at least 35 years old. Everything is running great concidering it's age. We are beginning to have problems with failed track joiners. We have decided to replace all of the old track with code 100 flex track, and also replace the old turnouts. I just purchased our first new DCC ready diesel loco which has 3 axles on each truck. My problem is that when the new loco crosses a turnout we get some arcing at the wheeles, and if the new loco is running slow enough it will peg the 5 amp ammeter and trip the circuit breaker in that block. I think the problem is with the old turnouts. Can someone explain what is going on and how to solve the problem before I start buying the new turnouts.
CCG, do the old engines arc as well or just the new engine?All so who made the new engine?
First thing I would look at is the wheel gauge of the new Engine. Engine wheels set's can come out of gauge( and be installed new out of gauge) just like rolling stock. Do you have a NMRA Gauge? Hopefully you bought the engine from a local Hobby Shop. If you did more than likely they will have one.
Second thing is the wheels on the new engine could be just a tad to wide causing them to arc at the frog. There are ways to modified the turnouts, but I am not the one to advise you on that subject. A quick fix is to use clear nail polish on the rail on the other side of the V in the frog. It will ware off over time, but it is easy to do.
Other here will tell you about how to cut a gap in the rail on the turnout.
One other thing, IMHO there is nothing wrong with brass track. I installed some this last January and it stays just as clean as my N/S track and I run DCC.
Good luck and i hope I helped some.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I don't seem to have a problem with the old engines. The new engine is an Athearn SD40-2 that I bought at a train show. Thanx for the input, I do have the gauge and will check the wheels.
thanx again Corbyn City George (CCG)
It's a pretty common problem that's pretty easy to fix. Mine required the turnouts to be tuned a little. I had to file the spot a little where the wheel flanges were hitting.
As far as rail joiners failing, you'll see that with the new track as well. Take some time and add a few feeder wires around the layout. This will help significantly. Joiners typically start to break down after a couple of months and get worse over time. Some people also solder the joiners where there are no feeders.
Good Luck
Springfield PA