Williams engines shorting on UCS, have anyone had this problem

[okiechoochoo]

It seems a couple of months ago I read on one of the O gauge forums where someone had trouble with Williams wide roller pickups shorting on UCS.   I think the poster was having problems with Lionel Fastrack but I am not sure.  Just this week I noticed someone on the TTML mention the same problem with UCS but he did not say what type of track it was.   The poster did mention it was with modern track but I don't know if it was Fastrack or modern O tubular track.  Has anyone had this problem and what type of track were you using.  I hope to run on postwar tube track.  Has anyone had problems with that track, UCS, switches and Williams diesels.
Thanks for your time to respond

[Bob.M]

None of my Williams engines or cars have problems with my tubular 3-rail O-31 Lionel track, 11 O-22 switches nor 4 65530 UCS tracks. That includes the NW-2 Diesel Switcher, PRR S2 Turbine and GG1 2360. The Williams PRR caboose has no problems either.

What is a TTML? Similar to an OGR?

[okiechoochoo]

Thanks for your response, it is good to know you have had no trouble.  The TTML is the Toy Train Mailing LIst, a yahoo group

[trainsfan]

If there's only a tiny part where the train shorts out you can put a little masking tape over the spot of track and it should run ok.  I did this on a O27 switch and it fixed the problem.

[Anonymous]

The Williams Berk I had liked to short out on UCS sections as well as the ground blade on 3656 stockyards.  The width of the rollers caused the problem.

[brianel027]

OKIE, one thing I've noticed with tubular 027 track is that the "button" of the uncoupler in the center rail is higher on the newer track than on the older postwar ones. What I mean, is if you run your finger over the track, you can feel the elevation of the round metal piece that is above the actual uncoupler wiring.

Because of this, what I have found is that on some locos, that bump in the UC track will raise a roller pickup causing it to come in contact with either an axle of the loco or the metal housing of the truck, thus causing a short.

I've fixed both problems by either using electrical tape to insulate that part of the truck housing where the pickup would hit, or to make an insulator piece out of cardboard or plastic that I insert into the truck, thus insulating the axle from the roller pickup, while still allowing internal electrical contact.