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Hi, I'm relatively new to this and my son and I are putting together a small HO setup. We're using Atlas Code 100 flextrack and soldering most of the layout. It's on a modified 4x8. We just finished the main loop of track which is about 45' in total length/run with a couple of turnouts off of it (two of them making a reverse loop. We've had the main loop operating well since Thursday (Thanksgiving). Today, Saturday, my son dropped his Walthers Diesel locomotive from the table to the floor. It looked OK, though I had to straighten out the coupler on the back end. Ever since, I runs maybe a bit less smoothly, but the particular problem is that it very often doesn't start from a standstill unless you give it a little shove. To complicate matters more, I had just replaced the wired rail joiners today with soldered connections (in one place only so far). Also, with all the construction going on, there's been the likelihood of dirt and gunk on/near the track that I've attempted to clean with no improvement. Finally, this engine is the only one we have to test with at this point. So, I'm thinking it's likely the engine somehow affected by the fall, but I'm not sure how. Once it starts going, it goes ok, but might/might not be a little less smooth. It's possible it's the connections, but there was no improvement when I reattached the wired rail joiners at another location in addition to the soldered connections. Finally, cleaning the track doesn't seem to help the startup problem. This engine has only been run for maybe a total of 10 minutes running time up until this point. Advice? If it is the engine, what should I look for? How can I find the problem if it is the engine or if it's something else? Thanks in advance for the advice. I'll have schematics and photos on my web site as soon as I can. David
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