I have a big problem with my new gp 35 . When it goes over two fast track switches that are not hooked up , I am in the process of wiring them , and go very slow [ roll speed ] it stop and shuts off and and the other engine on the main track stops and shuts off too and the switch lantern lights up . What is going on ??? - Matt
Replies sorted oldest to newest
matt;
you have to give us more info;
1; 6-number?
2; how are you running it , Legacy, cab1L, cab1, conventional?
3; do you have anything plugged into a power strip?
Hi Matt,
Have you connected (or altered) any wires to your switches? If so, have you tried setting them back to their original state, and then seeing if you have a problem?
How are these two switches configured? Are they back-to-back, one-after-the-other, or some other configuration?
Does the same happen with any other locomotives? (It could be related to the length of the locomotive and exactly where the rollers & wheels are touching the track that will help to identify the problem.)
It sounds as though you probably have a wiring problem with your switches, and when the locomotive is on them it may be bridging a circuit and somehow diverting the power, or if your switches are powered from another transformer it may bridge them together and you might have a phasing issue.
There were some FasTrack switches that were wired incorrectly at the factory and caused some odd problems, but I haven't heard of this situation being one of them. (There is a thread on this somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment.)
Finally, is it possible for you to post more details, and possibly some photographs of how your switches are configured? The more information that you can give, the better we can help. There are some great experts here in this forum who should be able to help you fix this problem if they can determine what is wrong.
The engine is only 14 in. long . the switches are front to back and the track jumper is out and the wires are on it but the controller is not hooked up yet and the power is a cw80 and I am using legacy . But this only happens to my gp35 not my sd80mac because it is 18in long . but it is strange because because the track after the switches is powered and their is no drop on the track after the switch, but the engine still works after the switch and this, only happens if the engine is going slow [ roll speed ] . - Mattbigdodgetrain I am using my Lionel legacy sd80mac and gp35 all with legacy and a cw80 , and all my transformers are hooked up to a power strip with my legacy and and lamps .
Hi Matt,
Have you tried putting the switch wiring back to its original condition, and seeing if there are any problems then? Which particular switches are you using? (Command control? O-36/48/60/72?)
Or alternatively, is there any way that you can separate the switches a bit? Putting a section of track between them for instance?
When the engine stops check where the pickup rollers are. Since your switches are one into another both rollers may be on a dead spot on both switches.
The fix is to add a straight between the switches.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
