Edit topic

Updated your discussion topic below.

Subject
Enter a subject for your topic. Maximum 150 characters.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
Where do I begin? Over the holidays I dug up my 20 year old N-scale set that has been sitting in the basement untouched. Since my 3 year loves trains, I figured, why not? He loved it so much and can even operate the locomotive. So over the weekend I ran out and bought $50 worth of Atlas Code 80 tracks and built a moderately simple layout (3 crossings, 2 switches) that I found on the web. Size is 2' x4 '. Well, tonight I tried the set up and I was frustrated every step of the way. I was wondering if you guys can help. General Info: If my memory serves me the set was made by AHM (now defunct) and cost me a whole $22! The engine is a GP-40 type, 4 axles with the rear truck as power pickup and front truck as traction. It also came with 6 rolling stocks and a power transfer that's slight bigger than a pack of cigarette. Only throttle and direction. The engine is made in Italy by Lima. I also have 5 assorted Atlas rolling stock (all made in Austria by the way). Problem 1: The engine stutters along the tracks as if it was too light and had intermittent contact. This happens regardless whether I'm on a curve (mix of 9-3/4" and 11") or a straight away. As I add more stock, it seems to settle down but still stutters somewhat. The tracks and wheels are clean. Problem 2: I added all 11 cars to the engine and ran it at medium speed. After about 5 minutes the whole setup started to gradually slow down. Soon I reached the max of the throttle. I stopped the train and picked up the engine. It was quite warm and had a funny "heat" smell to it - not burnt smell. I thought I fried the motor. After letting it cool down, I dropped it on the tracks and it worked again at full speed. I checked all rolling stocks for wheel and couple binding. None found, everything spinned and moved freely. Questions I'm assuming that the engine is a cheap one. Will a more expensive Atlas, Life Like, Athearn, etc. with a price tag of around $70 solve these problems? Are the more expensive engines designed better to prevent intermittent contact and have a motor that can take the strain? Is 11 cars unreasonable for N-scale? I can't believe I only have 5 minutes of run time before it over heats. I was going to run out and get a Tech 4 260 to replace the brick power supply. Could my current supply be the cause of overheating of the engine due to unclean, unregulated power? Maybe the engine wants more power and the PS couldn't supply it? Problem 3: I realized the power pack is junk but I was trying to run it slow. At the 30 deg. crossing it would stop since the rear truck (power pickup) just happened to be the right length to match the two dead spots on the crossing. Obviously if I run it fast the momentum would take it over the dead spots. Question: Am I reduced to running the set at moderately fast to fast speed? Would a 6-axle be better since the power pickup wheels can span over the dead spots? Should I look for engines with "all wheel drive"? Since the GP-40 is relatively short, would a longer model (e.g., SD60) solve this problem? Obviously a Tech 4 260 plus a decent loco would run me $125 or so and I wanted to make sure that these two items will solve my problems. My 3 year loves it so much that I would hate to abandon the whole idea due to these issues. It's amazing how much we bonded in just this past weekend. Every time I come home from work, his first words are "Daddy, let's play with the train." Please help, any advice is appreciated!!! I'm not new to the hobby it's just that I realize a lot has changed in 20 years! Thanks all!!!!!!
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
E-mail Subscribe
Check the box below if you want to receive e-mail notifications when replies are made to this thread.

Receive notifications

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit topic

Subject

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

E-mail Subscribe

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community