Club needs engine for Holiday layout

Wally

 

are you running conventional or legacy? 

 

Ben

Small steam engines may be finding a "dead spot." Run them slowly over the crossing and see whether a jumper wire or two will keep them going.

 

It could also be an uneven rail in the crossing.

 

The cause is usually something simple but tracking it down can be frustrating.

Ben, conventional power. Reading Fan, we've extended the contacts on the tender to no avail. We recently tried an 0-6-0 steamer with better but not totally successful results.

The little diesel we ran last year was successful. Maybe it requires an engine with the contacts, not the tender(?).

Cho Cho,

 

A few members of our club will also be doing a couple of shows for the Christmas holidays, we will run the Polar Express and I have purchased the Route of the Reindeer three car set for S. These will be pulled by a Casey Jones engine decorated to match them. These engines, the Casey Jones, are inexpensive to purchase and tend to run forever.

Ray

Cho Cho,

Where are you located??  I live near Mooresville NC, and our Club will be running a layout in Kannapolis NC for much of December, maybe we can help.

 

Aflyer

What about using a dedicated 3rd "auxiliary" car behind the tender with a pickup roller?  If you install a small plug the car can be easily connected and disconnected.

 

The easiest type of 3rd car would be an operating car or a coach that already has a pickup installed.

 

Have Fun

Ron

 

Thanks Ron045; now if we can just keep the leading truck of a steamer on the track, etc. Hmmm. Ready to just buy diesel. And Thanks Aflyer. We will be starting operations of our layout Dec 6 and are running out of time. We are at Sun City 9 miles south of 485 on 521.

 

Wally

Wally,

The flyer Pacific's are usually pretty forgiving of track that is less than perfect.  I am thinking like a 290, 293, 282, 287.  Something along those lines.

 

What is the number of the Locomotive you are struggling with?

Aflyer 

Flyer:  Pacifics is what we tried to no avail. Probably the pickups on the tender are too far apart(?).

 

Wally

Wally,

That really makes things difficult for you.  Does it act the same with the train running in both directions?  And on both loops?  Have you tried some jumper wires as suggested by ReadingFan.

 

It seems strange that the cross over would be doing this, I wonder if there is a broken wire in the cross over itself.  Is it something you can pull out and test with a meter?

 

I might be able to run over there next week on Dec 3 or 4 to take a look at it with you.  I will bring a couple steamers with me to test, if that will help you out.

 

Aflyer

Flyer:  I can remove the X-over and test it; we tested it last year but not this year. Let me do some more before you consider coming down. Dec 3 is our moving day (bring layout pieces to Lake House) and setting up for Dec 6 to begin operations through Dec 23.

 

Thanks for now.

 

  Wally

I've got a UP GP9 I'll sell ya for s good price

Wally,

Sounds like a good plan to me, glad to help if I can.  I belong to the Carolinas division of the ACSG, I pasted a link below to our clubs WebSite if you are interested in taking a look.

http://www.trainweb.org/acsg/CD/CD_index.html

We are running in Kannapolis from about Dec. 4 through 23, and maybe a couple days after Christmas.

 

Talk  soon,

George 

You might just need to try a steamer or two with pickup shoes in addition to metal wheels.  A 303 Atlantic for example doesn't have them but a 293 Pacific does.

Matt- we're going to try asimilar engine soon; will let you know if it works & will get back to you on your offer.

Aflyer: I hope to be able to get up to see your club layout; we're operating at the same time with a number of operators.

Sgaugian: it's not just the electrical continuity, steamers tend to derail. Ugghh.

 

Wally

Wally,

It would be great to meet you.  We are running from 6-9 weekdays, and 6-10 weekends.  What time are you guys running I would like to see your layout too if at all possible.

 

Hope you find the issue is with your cross-over.   And it sounds like you are having other issues with that track, is it all American models track?

Aflyer

American Models flex track and x-over. We're on hiatus right now; the homeowner where our layout is stored is gone for the holiday; hope she gets home soon since next week is moving day to set up. Train operations and raffle ticket sales (three Lion Chief sets):

Mon through Thur  5:30-7:00

Tues, Wed, Thur, Sat  12:00-1:30

Polar Express Readings  Dec 12, 19 @ 1:30; 23 @ 5:30

Prize Drawings- Dec 23 @ 5:30

Wally,

I am thinking I can join you for a couple hours 1 day next week. I can bring a couple different locomotives to see if we can troubleshoot your track & cross-over issues.  If one of my locomotives works ok, I can leave it for your show.

 

Aflyer

Okey Dokey Aflyer. Late Tuesday morning into early afternoon I have a root canal procedure, otherwise I'll be around.

 

Wally

Oh, been there, done that, it's great when it's over, LOL.

 

I am thinking Wednesday might work, we can touch base on Tuesday and see how the schedules are going.

Aflyer

 

 

Problem is that we can't gain access to the layout until the house owner where stored gets back from ?  . Will let you know.

 

  Wally

Flyer:  we'll be working Monday (today) afternoon and Wednesday afternoon. Call 803-8047299

 

Wally

Wally,

I am reporting for Jury Duty this afternoon at 1:30, I will get back to you as soon as I know what my schedule is going to be for the week.

 

Aflyer

Wally,

Hi, I left you a voice mail a little while ago.   I can meet with you today and try some of my Steam engines, and maybe find the issues with your X-over.

 

Aflyer