I had to take down my "working, in progress" Hon3 San juan central. We downsized our home. I did build it in sections so it could be moved just like Malcom Furlows book.After sitting in pieces for 1 year it is back together . I need advise on cleaning turnouts. I run DCC and use bluepoints for turnout control and have modified Shinohara turnouts to be DCC friendly. Every thing worded perfect in my old home. I run only Blackstone locos. I had to REALLY clean my track from sitting so long. I have 2 turnouts that stall then start up again. 3 turnouts that stall and do not start up. All the other turnouts work perfect. If I push the loco past the turnout all is good again. Of course the problem turnouts are all scenicked. I cleaned all the track with crc cleanibg solution a bright bar and the woodland scenics Tidy Track Cleaner.
How do the rails in your turnout get power? If there are feeders how many and where? Is the frog powered with the blue point? I'm thinking of reasons for electricity to disappear other than dirt.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The two that stall and then start again are powered by the bluepoints. The other 3 in the yard are powered by the switch rails only. Lots of feeders. Also this system worked perfect before the move and the year of just sitting.
You mention, ''Lots of feeders'' do You have any on the point side of the turnouts and the frog side of the straight/divergent side? Or do You rely on rail joiners for Your power? Rail joiners are not a very reliable source of power distribution over time.
Take Care!
Frank
BTW: Pick up a can of CRC 2-26 with small nozzle and spray Your rail joiners with it and all working points of Your turnouts and see if that helps...it is plastic compatible, so not to worry about damage.
Where do you purchase CRC 2-26? I have seen this answer in other threads but don't know where to buy it.
Thanks in advance
Jeff P.
The first hit on google, other than the manufacturer is Home Depot.
You can find it a Home Depot in the Electrical section. It is usually well hidden so you may have to ask one of the older HD helpers.
Joe
Jack you've used 3 different cleaning products and I assume you wouldn't have told us if the track was obviously rusted.
What I've learned from the electrical gurus, the short time I've been here is that they don't trust rail joiners, soldered or not, they don't trust contact between the rail and the point to conduct electricity, and they don't trust rivets in the points to conduct either. They wire and jumper each individual turnout up the wahzoo so that every segment of track in the turnout is getting power via a wire.
Moving your layout exposed it to the vibration of what ever vehicle it was in, for as long as it took to get to your new home. That may have weakened rail joiner connections or cracked solder joints.
If the layout sat around unused for a while, so did the locos. Do the wheels need cleaning?
Big cleaning of the turnouts ,loco and rolling stock. I put all in there boxes but still am cleaning them.
Jack, Jeff,
A link so You know what to look for. A home depot link, with a store finder function. There are other places that carry it:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-2-26-5-oz-Multi-Purpose-Lubricant-02004/100398344
You may also use it on Your Loco power pick-up wipers and such.
Around here (central florida) I've seen CRC 2-26 at WalMart
WS
Can CRC 2-26 be used as a track cleaner as well?
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Thanks to all that answered about where to purchase CRC-2-26. My next trip to Home Depot
I will pick some up.thanks again. ....Jeff
This may sound to simple to be the problem, But worked for me. Clean the wheels on the locomotive, Hope it works for you.
I've heard from some old timer modelrailroaders the wahl oil for hair trimmers works well. Suppose to add a drop on each rail here and there and the wheels will carry it along.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174