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Can't run my trains!

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  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 147 posts
Can't run my trains!
Posted by C & O Steam on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 3:40 PM

Ok what have I done. I have been trying to fix a problem area on my layout where three curved switches are connected together. I have engines setting on the track and have shorted the layout several times while looking for the problem. I thought I had arrived at a solution and was wanting to test it buy running an engine over the switch. The problem is none of the engines I select will move. They have sound and seem to be working except the horn or whistle won't blow. I have a DCS 100 with a DT402d. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

C & O forever

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 3:52 PM

If you have sound but cannot operate engine functions it sounds to me like the engines are not recognizing their address.  Take them all off the track.  Put them on one at a time and reprogram the decoders.  Programing addresses on  the main will program every engine on the track, so make sure you only have one at a time on there.  The short circuits could be responsible.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 4:08 PM

On the DT 402d's display screen there is a small black dot on the right side of the screen. if it is flashing you will not be able to control anything, but the sound will work and the track power will be on. To make it stay on solid you will have to turn off the track power and turn it on again. If the dot is still flashing press the power and Y+ buttons until it stays on.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 11:17 PM

[Reply withdrawn...didn't really address the symptoms in retrospect.]

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 1:46 AM

retsignalmtr

On the DT 402d's display screen there is a small black dot on the right side of the screen. if it is flashing you will not be able to control anything, but the sound will work and the track power will be on. To make it stay on solid you will have to turn off the track power and turn it on again. If the dot is still flashing press the power and Y+ buttons until it stays on.

 

This happens to me when I use a certain one of my DT 402s. Seems like the + button does not function well. I have to remember to use the other throttle to turn on track power. In a pinch you can use Decoder Pro to turn on power as well. (Getting old and that little flashing pixel sure is SMALL!)

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 147 posts
Posted by C & O Steam on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 7:40 AM

Thanks guys for all the ideas. I tried several times yesterday to turn the power off and on several times but nothing changed. I have that problem from time to time. I am running trains and then take a break. I came back and turn the power back on but the enging I was just running won't move and I can't select any other engine to move. I turn the power on and off and then everything works. I was afraid that all the engines I had on the track had lost there programming and would have to be programmed. Now the good news. I came in this morning turned everything on and everything worked just fine. Guess I must have had a visitor last night that fixed everything. LOL

Now if some one can just tell me how to connect three curved swithchs I will be back in business. I will try and post a picture on another post.

Thanks again for you suggestions.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 8:02 AM

If you turn the system on and the already selected loco won't respond, just reselect it.  Hit the Loco key twice.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 1:36 PM

Every time you turn the track power on, be sure to look for that black dot to see if it is flashing.

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