Help with new Lionel Rio Grande General

[Seayakbill]

David, welcome to the forum. Unfortunately there was a thread on another forum with a poster having similar problems with the Lionel Lone Ranger General. Not sure if he received a good one after a couple exchanges. Sounds like this series of the General has some issues.

[davidkeith89]

I'll give that a try. But what I don't understand it why it takes 5 or so minutes before it starts happening.

[rtraincollector]

Question where is the spot it slows Down at compare to where your hook-up from your transformer at.

Just an idea you may want to run a jumper set of wires to that area. sounds like something taken current there and it sounds like its one of your animated cars

just a guess

[Stourbridge Lion]

David - Welcome to trains.com!

[davidkeith89]

I just bought a Lionel Rio Grande General as part of a set break up via a hobby shop on eBay. The first one had a major issue, and the shop very quickly replaced it. The second one also has an issue. When pulling several cars it will gradually begin to slow down and then speed back up after about 5 minutes. It eventually almost stops and picks back up again. It happens in the same spot each time. The layout is a carpet central Fastrack loop of about 5 x 6 feet, with two or three sidings and the floor is not completely level. My older General, the 1892 Green and Black W&A General from a couple of years ago doesn't display this problem, it will run the loop without problems. I'm using a CW80 transformer.

The other odd thing about RG General is it runs just fine by itself. It never slows down. It only happens when pulling a train with more than one animated car, or if there are lighted cars in the consist.

Anything I'm missing? Or should I just call Lionel and arrange to send it in for service?

David