I have to say I have this set, and had the same issue. I took it apart and found that there was almost no lubrication from the factory. After a little oil and grease in the right places and a cleaning of the wheels with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, it runs as perfectly as any model locomotive could ever be expected to. Perfect smooth starts, no hesitation at all. Perhaps quality control is an issue, perhaps they're skimping out on the oil and grease, but it made a world of difference for me, was easy to do, and best of all-it was free!
I see no clear reason why I should grow up...
For what it is worth, I'vei recently gotten a Hallow's Eve Express locomotive that seems to be a HP loco with a different paint scheme. This HEE still has a hesitation before starting to move,but it does not seem to be pronounced as my HP locomotive.
I've just written this off as something that these locomotives do and learned to live with it.
ADCX Rob wrote: chuck wrote:... With the TPC in default speed step mode (72 steps), I can easily dial up or down ... ...The CW-80 is no where near as precise ...The CW-80 is more than 72 steps, though. The adjustment is infinite through the throttle range.Rob
chuck wrote:... With the TPC in default speed step mode (72 steps), I can easily dial up or down ... ...The CW-80 is no where near as precise ...
...
With the TPC in default speed step mode (72 steps), I can easily dial up or down ...
...The CW-80 is no where near as precise ...
The CW-80 is more than 72 steps, though. The adjustment is infinite through the throttle range.
Rob
..Correct you are...just as long as the operators hand also has infinite steps!
Roland
On initial start up (or after the track power has been cut for more than 10 seconds), the electronic E-unit pauses for 3 seconds before allowing the engine to move. The HE loco will consistantly start to move in either direction with no cars or tender at about 3.1-3.2 volts. This was measured using the TPC and CAB-1 with a digital multimeter.
The three second pause on start up was determined by pulling the track leads, dialing up the voltage using the multimeter as a guide and then placing power to the track. On initial application, the engine sits for three seconds before it will move. After the initial start up there is no pause between application of power and movement of the locomotive. The three second countdown starts as soon as the headlight comes on.
With the TPC in default speed step mode (72 steps), I can easily dial up or down in .1 volt increments and the unit's output starts at just under 2 volts. The CW-80 is no where near as precise but if you are careful with the throttle on the CW-80 and take into account the initial delay you can get the loco to start moving without jack rabbit starts.
Ogaugeoverlord wrote:Sometimes this forum reminds me of the neighborhood where I live - a lot of little old ladies clucking about who brought potato salad when she was supposed to bring fruit salad to the neighborhood block party in 1968. 40 years on and grudges are still held.
Not a bad analogy. Let's see how many "little old ladies" heed it. You hockeypuck.
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
DaylightFan wrote: Believe me I had plenty of other choice words but I thought I should keep it somewhat respectful for this forum. Now let's recount. You gave ONE response to my origional post here, someone else gave a response then you responded to them. Then there was a post that started the thread down a different direction. I wanted to hear some more oppinions so I said "to get back on topic" then I asked a completely different question! (But still had to do with the topic.) I asked if anyone else's engine did this. Then you posted your sarcastic remark about me. Several other people posted nice responses to my origional question. I had a chance to get on here and read through them all. So I responded and also defended myself and explained my post on the other forum to set the record straight. You came back with another sarcastic remark. I honestly like reading your posts. I think they are informative. I think you are very knowledgeable. I think you've done a fantastic job with your layout making fastrack look very realistic. I just can't figure out why you attacked me in the first place saying that I'm not listening? I only posted one sentence and all of the sudden the fight was on. Maybe you enjoy the fight, I dunno. I'll try to end this disagreement by saying this. Just because we had a little back and forth on here doesn't mean we can never talk again. You're still okay in my book, afterall you're a rail fan and a 3-rail Lionel guy to boot. Nothing bad about that.
Believe me I had plenty of other choice words but I thought I should keep it somewhat respectful for this forum. Now let's recount. You gave ONE response to my origional post here, someone else gave a response then you responded to them. Then there was a post that started the thread down a different direction. I wanted to hear some more oppinions so I said "to get back on topic" then I asked a completely different question! (But still had to do with the topic.) I asked if anyone else's engine did this. Then you posted your sarcastic remark about me. Several other people posted nice responses to my origional question. I had a chance to get on here and read through them all. So I responded and also defended myself and explained my post on the other forum to set the record straight. You came back with another sarcastic remark.
I honestly like reading your posts. I think they are informative. I think you are very knowledgeable. I think you've done a fantastic job with your layout making fastrack look very realistic. I just can't figure out why you attacked me in the first place saying that I'm not listening? I only posted one sentence and all of the sudden the fight was on. Maybe you enjoy the fight, I dunno.
I'll try to end this disagreement by saying this. Just because we had a little back and forth on here doesn't mean we can never talk again. You're still okay in my book, afterall you're a rail fan and a 3-rail Lionel guy to boot. Nothing bad about that.
You're still ok in my book too. I was just frustrated at what I perceived to be you ignoring our advice. I respond to people's questions in an effort to be helpful. And I was speaking from experience trying to help you get past the delayed start up. Once you get used to it, and realize it isn't a defective operation, you might grow to like it. I have. As I said before, good luck with your train.
Bob Keller
DaylightFan wrote: Well, you're 100% something that's for sure. What a well thought out response. Since you obviously read my post on the other forum, and the post here- can you explain why my engine takes off when I cycle it into neutral???? Yes I can. But I'm not going to because of your attitude in your last two posts. I'm no guru either but none of my other Lionel, MTH, or Williams take off when in neutral so this IS a problem. I cycled it into neutral by throttling down and by using the direction button and it still did the same thing. You also didn't give any suggestions why it may wobble as it goes down the track. I gave you clear, helpful tips on page one. So from now on, talk to the hand, because I don't care about your problems. I'm not helping you anymore. Now, why do you feel nessessary to treat a fellow forum member like this using sarcasm at my expense?What sarcasm? I posted several well-intended replies to your problem. Have you even taken my suggestions and tried them? Good luck with your Hogwarts. I'm not wasting any more time on it. And that's all she wrote.
Well, you're 100% something that's for sure.
What a well thought out response.
Since you obviously read my post on the other forum, and the post here- can you explain why my engine takes off when I cycle it into neutral????
Yes I can. But I'm not going to because of your attitude in your last two posts.
I'm no guru either but none of my other Lionel, MTH, or Williams take off when in neutral so this IS a problem. I cycled it into neutral by throttling down and by using the direction button and it still did the same thing. You also didn't give any suggestions why it may wobble as it goes down the track.
I gave you clear, helpful tips on page one. So from now on, talk to the hand, because I don't care about your problems. I'm not helping you anymore.
Now, why do you feel nessessary to treat a fellow forum member like this using sarcasm at my expense?
What sarcasm? I posted several well-intended replies to your problem. Have you even taken my suggestions and tried them? Good luck with your Hogwarts. I'm not wasting any more time on it. And that's all she wrote.
Jumijo wrote: I may not be "the end all of train gurus", but I was 100% correctamundo about your train's NON problem.
I may not be "the end all of train gurus", but I was 100% correctamundo about your train's NON problem.
Well, you're 100% something that's for sure. Since you obviously read my post on the other forum, and the post here- can you explain why my engine takes off when I cycle it into neutral???? I'm no guru either but none of my other Lionel, MTH, or Williams take off when in neutral so this IS a problem. I cycled it into neutral by throttling down and by using the direction button and it still did the same thing. You also didn't give any suggestions why it may wobble as it goes down the track.
Joe Hohmann wrote:Guess I may as well add my 2 cents here. My HP engine has a start-up delay of about 1 second. If you only give it enough power to turn on the headlight, you have full control of the start-up. A bit more, and it will start slowly. Remember, each "real" steam engine had it's own "personality" in regards to running. I love the looks of this set, and feel it would have been worth twice the price. Joe
Geez, where have I heard that before? Thanks, and best of luck with your HP set, Joe.
Jumijo wrote: Your question was already answered. Here and on OGR. You're not listening. Just because it doesn't work the way YOU think it's supposed to doesn't mean there is something wrong with it.
Your question was already answered. Here and on OGR. You're not listening. Just because it doesn't work the way YOU think it's supposed to doesn't mean there is something wrong with it.
Jumijo wrote: Roland,I've tried to tell this guy...I have several Lionel trains that do this. They all run as they are intended to. He just doesn't want to hear it. So let him watch his train take off like a rabbit at 1/2 full throttle. When he gets sick of that, he can take it to a repair shop, where it will stay for weeks, and it will come back the same as he brought it in - working as it was designed to.
Roland,
I've tried to tell this guy...I have several Lionel trains that do this. They all run as they are intended to. He just doesn't want to hear it. So let him watch his train take off like a rabbit at 1/2 full throttle. When he gets sick of that, he can take it to a repair shop, where it will stay for weeks, and it will come back the same as he brought it in - working as it was designed to.
Just because I wanted to get other peoples opinions and get the thread back on topic doesn't mean I wasn't listening. You are not the end all of train guru's. Besides, I didn't post the same thing on OGR as I did here. Over at OGR the thread is titled, "Who's Got Problems With Their Hogwarts?" I noticed several people posting initial problems with their engines and it seemed as though quality control for this set wasn't as good as it should be. It was a perfect place for people to post their problems as every first run is bound to have problems. It would be good to see if the same issue was happening. Not to mention there are many posts with people who have not seen or heard of this "delay." Are you going to flame them too? OGR seems to have a lot of people in the industry reading and perhaps someone at LIonel would read it and be informed the problem. People there offered their own advice as to what my particular problem was.
Talk about wise guys...
Thanks to everyone else who offered your thoughts. When I have some time, I'll give it a little lube job and break it in.
njal wrote:...most of the time I feel invisible on this board ??
...most of the time I feel invisible on this board ??
njal,
From my point of view you are not invisible, and neither is njal2 on the other forum. I assume that's you too.
Your suggestion that some sort of capacitor needs to be charged up before the Hogwarts e-unit "fires" is interesting, but I have no idea how to confirm it; or was it just a simile and not intended to be taken literally? Either way, that is certainly what it "looks like."
I did check out the wheels on my Hogwarts loco, but did not find any evidence of magnetism. Is it possible that your screwdriver has a slight magnetic pull to it?
njal wrote: Hi Brutus.... Guess you didn't see my reply with the MTH Z1000 ???Nothing against you however most of the time I feel invisible on this board ??Here it is again, Thanks ........"I am running mine off a MTH 100 W transformer and have the same start up only the first time. IMO it is normal and the design of the E unit. I have about 22 hours on the set .IMO its almost like there ia a capacitor (BCR) that charges when the track power is first applied. After a few seconds the electronic E unit powers up and works ???Anyone else notice the wheels are magnetized?"
Hi Brutus....
Guess you didn't see my reply with the MTH Z1000 ???
Nothing against you however most of the time I feel invisible on this board ??
Here it is again, Thanks ........
"
I am running mine off a MTH 100 W transformer and have the same start up only the first time.
IMO it is normal and the design of the E unit. I have about 22 hours on the set .
IMO its almost like there ia a capacitor (BCR) that charges when the track power is first applied. After a few seconds the electronic E unit powers up and works ???
Anyone else notice the wheels are magnetized?"
AL : you may be feeling invisible because a lot of the posters aren't posting any more. Mostly different people have pushed the older ones out. Mainly because CTT is letting some real wise guys post whatever they want & doing away with the way of old friendly family posts or helping anyone with a problem without the smart allik stuff . The welcoming is all gone now to new inquirers.
I'm really on other forums now.
njal wrote:Hi Brutus....Nothing against you however most of the time I feel invisible on this board ??
I'm sorry...did you say something?
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
I too believe that this is normal for the transformer. I ran mine the other day for an hour and let the kids run it too, using the direction button and using the throttle to cycle. It takes a lot of power to get it running and to push this locomotive through the O36 curves, I guess because of the drivers? So you have to push the power up and when it starts moving ease off a little to make it right. I have a MTH Z1000 also, so will try that next time and let you know if I have different results.
Do you have a different locomotive you could test on the same track with the same transformer? That might give you an idea...
Renovo,
Agreed. Mine (for my granddaughter, actually) runs smooth as glass. I love it! But some folks have questions, and there's no doubt that it takes a little getting used to.
Pretty simple answer guys this is the way it works. There is a two to four second delay. Even my two brand new conventional Lionel disel engines start the same way.
Why they do this I can't answer you would have to ask Lionel. At first it annoyed me but later I got use to the start up. You will notice if you just bring it to full power it will set for the 2-4 seconds then take off at full power. I just bring it up to a slow power setting then adjust when it starts rolling.
I suspect a few people will take this change as an issue to bash Lionel, others will try to blame things from the transformer to what ever. The simple fat is there is n othing wrong with you HE engine. You may not like the delay but oer time you will never notice it.
It a good fun runner and great looking too for most people. If you try to compare this to a top end set you need a life. Some have and I question there reasons.
Anyone else notice the wheels are magnetized?
DaylightFan wrote:At first I power it up and it wont go...then all of the sudden the train takes off! I slowed and cycled into neutral and gave it about half power and then it took off again! So, I guess my reverse unit is bad?
My uncle has a CW-80 that came with the Polar Express set and has experienced some of the problems you have, though he doesn't notice it. Anyway the CW-80's direction button has a "delay" on it so the the power up/down is gradual. Also, your reverse unit isn't bad. As said earlier the engine would barely do any movement if that was the case. The Lionel MoW Rail Bonder experiences the delayed start you speak of. With any transformer (that I'm aware of) it'll move only after a few seconds of giving power to the track it's on. I think it's the way the motor/E-unit was designed, but that I'm not sure about. Don't worry to much though. Like the others here have said, just break it in and it'll run fine.
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