Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

locomotive repair

1450 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 3:04 PM

JMRI is free, but you need to purchase hardware to make it work. I have many locos and find it useful. I think the first step for the OP would be to master the DCC system he owns.

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Northern California
  • 163 posts
Posted by softail86mark on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 2:14 PM

You could also try JMRI free software. 

Quote from the website "The JMRI project is building tools for model railroad computer control."

WP Lives

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 1:31 PM

If your locos do not run correctly in a DCC environment, the first thing I would do is do a decoder reset. If you don't know how to do this, I recommend that you learn how, as many decoders require a reset from time to time. It involves programming CVs, which should be covered in your DCC system manual. In most cases, it means programming CV8 to 8. But it depends on the manufacturer of the decoder. There are ways to find out what type of decoder is in your loco using your system - again, check your manual. But this doesn't always work, or the information is too generic to be useful. You might have to do a search on the Internet to find out a) what decoder you are dealing with; and 2) the CV instruction sheet. If your locos were not bought new, you might have to open the loco to find out what brand of decoder you are dealing with. 

But so many things can go wrong: broken wires, burned out decoder, disfunctionnal DCC system, etc. As mentioned by M.Beasley, you might want to be more specific in your questions.

Simon

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, December 25, 2023 9:59 PM

Thank you for jumping in to the place many of end up at anyway.  Like many of us, I feel that it's my job to fix my engines if I can.

We would all like to help if we can.  Let us know some more details, like what model of engine, what manufacturer and what decoder.  To the casual observer, all locomotives might seem the same, but the devil is in the details.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,449 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Monday, December 25, 2023 9:41 PM

banjobenne1
Hobby shops and their repair services are going belly up. I need a manual/troubleshooting guide to fix my locomotives. ...

Do you mean the internet doesn't solve all our problems after they drove the hobby shops out of business?

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, December 25, 2023 9:34 PM

banjobenne1
How to test a dcc decoder, motor, sound etc..

This might do the trick for you and is reasonably priced:

https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/296857.aspx

And it allows you to conveniently test any decoder to make sure it's operating properly BEFORE you install it into your locomotive.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 160 posts
locomotive repair
Posted by banjobenne1 on Monday, December 25, 2023 8:20 PM

Hobby shops and their repair services are going belly up. I need a manual/troubleshooting guide to fix my locomotives. How to test a dcc decoder, motor, sound etc.. Yes the wheels and the track are clean.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!