Hi, the MR forums are geared more towards "two rail" trains, DC or DCC. You'll probably get more / better answers over on the Classic Toy Trains forum.
Just click on the small "Home" below the green bar near the top of this page ("Home - Model Railroader - Forums" etc.) then click on "Toy train operating and collecting" under "Classic Toy Trains".
You might also check out the O Gauge RR magazine's forum re Lionel problems:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/forum/lionel-service
Hello-
First off, I apologize if this is not the right place for this.
The set I am having trouble with is Lionel's "NORFOLK SOUTHERN TIER 4 LIONCHIEF SET W/ BLUETOOTH SKU: 1923050", bought brand new.
The issue is- It sits and idles fine. Sounds and lights all fine as well. But when it is commanded to move, it only moves a few inches then it abruptly stops, lights go out, etc. It then immediately starts up and returns to idle. This cycle repeats ad infinitum. The layout is a simple oval utilizing the 12 pieces of track that came with the set, as well as 4 additional Fastrack straight pieces for a total of 16. It happens with cars attached and as a solo locomotive. I have another set, the New Haven RS-3. That locomotive has no issues on this oval.
The following has been done to troubleshoot, based on things I've read here and elsewhere. Nothing has helped.
4 amp power supply used instead of the 3 amp it came with, made no difference
Everything I can think of, as far as isolating variables, has been done yet this is still happening. Any thoughts as to what may be happening? Thank you.