rail power

[Anonymous]

when i run my train on the layout, in some spots the train stops, because it does not get enough power. I dont know whats wrong. I know there is not one answer but maybie you guys could give me possible solutions to this problem.

[DigitalGriffin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by elias

when i run my train on the layout, in some spots the train stops, because it does not get enough power. I dont know whats wrong. I know there is not one answer but maybie you guys could give me possible solutions to this problem.

Have you put a volt meter to the tracks in question? Is there a curve or incline in the section? What kind of track have you laid down? Are you running DCC or DC? What's the model train? And who makes it?

I doubt I have the answer, but I figured the answers might help others figure it out for you quicker.

I had a problem with my Bachmann stalling because the cow catch was bent slightly downward, catching the track and points.

~HopeThisHelps
~D

[jrbernier]

Elias,

Sounds like a rail joiner issue. Use a small screw driver and slide the rail joiner back and forth. If the engine takes off, you have bad electical contact at the rail joiner. I would try soldering additional feeders to the track, and/or solder the offending rail joiners to the track to create a solid 'bond'. If you do not want to solder, try 'crimping' the rail joiner with a small set of pliers.

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

i have not put a volt meter to the tracks, i am running atlas dcc (which i got for christmas this year[:D]),i run all atlas trains in HO scale, and it is multiple spots in the layout, not just one. also i just layed plaster down on the layout (could that have any thing to do with it? ex. dust, water?)

[jrbernier]

Sure could! Get a 'Brite Boy' track cleaning block from your LHS, and clean all of the track, then clean off 1 engines's wheels. (soak a paper towel with a spray cleaner like '409', lay it across the rails and run the eng up onto it with one truck still on the rails. Hold it there whill you apply power to clean up the engine wheels, then do the other end of the engine. Now with clean rails and clean wheels, run the engine and see it you still have the problem. If you still are stopping, it is a electical problem at a rail joiner. Once you have that singe engine running, clean up the wheels on your other engines. As far as your freight cars, if you have plastic wheels, they will attract 'crud' and deposit all around the layout. Swapping in metal wheels after the track is clean will produce much sbetter running, and they are easy to clean up(I pop them out each year and run them through the dishwasher in one of those little 'mesh' bags you can get a BBB.

Jim Bernier