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Locomotive stalls on switch frogs

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  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 123 posts
Locomotive stalls on switch frogs
Posted by hustle_muscle on Monday, June 3, 2013 10:00 PM

I currently have a temporary layout (until I get my actual layout built) with some Bachmann E-Z Track and for some weird reason I can't figure out, my Athearn GP35 and P2K GP9 will stall at the switch frogs and after I get them going again, they run jerkily on the curve that comes after the switch. I cleaned the tracks and wheels with isopropal alcohol but I didn't see much difference. How do I fix this problem?

(Running in DC for right now)

Check out my work here:

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Monday, June 3, 2013 10:12 PM

You probably need to add more power feeder wires to the track just beyond the turnout.  You could have loose rail joiners that are not passing adequate power to the track, particularly with the E-Z track setup.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 3:54 AM

HM,

CACOLE,,Is correct,,,Bachmann,E-Z Track,is not the most reliable,for passing adequate power to the track,,,especially,their turnouts...

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 10:27 AM

The EZ track turnouts really aren't that good, but do have a powered frog if you want.   Check with an ohm meter to see that you have continuity where you should vs where you don't.   You could also use a trouble light/voltmeter when track is powered.    I remember having to solder in jumper wires to get the power to be reliable since sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

Richard

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 10:48 AM

hustle_muscle

I currently have a temporary layout (until I get my actual layout built) with some Bachmann E-Z Track and for some weird reason I can't figure out, my Athearn GP35 and P2K GP9 will stall at the switch frogs and after I get them going again, they run jerkily on the curve that comes after the switch. I cleaned the tracks and wheels with isopropal alcohol but I didn't see much difference. How do I fix this problem?

(Running in DC for right now)

Feh...

LION has double scissor switch. Him left the whole thing unpowered. Trains (with 48 wheel pick-up) cross it just fine thank you.

If your train stalls on a frog, you have pick-up problems. Modern locomotives have 8 to 12 wheel pickup, should have no problem. Your problem is in the tracks. Correct they are who say that your rail joiners are ferkaputten.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 123 posts
Posted by hustle_muscle on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 2:00 PM

What does "ferkaputten" mean?

Check out my work here:

http://rmd-painting.weebly.com/

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 2:35 PM

HM.

German Slang,,,for,,,''NOT ANY GOOD'',,,can't say the real,,ting,,,,LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 1:39 PM

hustle_muscle

What does "ferkaputten" mean?

I don't know. I just made it up. It sounded like it belonged there.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 2:37 PM

hustle_muscle

What does "ferkaputten" mean?

FUBAR

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