Completely baffled

To use a TMCC engine on a system that is using a Powermaster or the Track power controller you must have the PM and the TPC programmed to tracks (which is the TR on the remote) 1, 2 and 3 and have the voltage on those tracks set to full for TMCC engines to run.

Have you checked the ground continuity on the clubs wall outlet??  Is the phasing of the 120V correct.

Your diagram appears to be correct, provided the wires from the CB go to the outside rails. Does the engine that works function on all 3 tracks? The ones that do not: Do they not work on all 3 tracks? The ones that don't: Do the lights flash?

You need the correct 3 pronged power supply for the CB.  I think you do, or else TMCC would not work at all. Try plugging the CB wall wort directly into a building receptacle or a 3 wire extension cord that goes directly to a building receptacle. By-pass any power strips! You need a good ground connection to the building. Try another receptacle.

As mentioned, check your phasing. I think that is alright, or you would be having other issues. Check that you have 16-18v on all 3 tracks.

If at least 1 engine runs properly on all 3 tracks, the problem is with the other engines. Typically the the antenna or the antenna connection.

Chris

LVHR

Thanks for the comments.  We did check that the house system is grounded and plugged the CB right into the wall receptacle.  The TPC and PM are programmed for the track # and we get full voltage.  What is so baffling is that the locos will run fine on our home layouts and some will and some won't on the club track. If we ever figure out why I'll be sure to post the solution.

You say the club track plan is 3 long loops. It could be a ground plane issue caused by all of the parallel trackage.

Ground plane issues won't effect every locomotive, just the ones with the weakest antennas. An easy test for this at the club would be to hold your hand just over the locomotive and see if it responds. The human body is a marvelous antenna.

Heres an informative video Mike Reagan did. A potential  signal issue with your club layout is described at the 12:50 mark:

Lionel had a run of 180 watt Powemasters that were out of phase if you happen to have one of these in the system it will be blocking the signal.

For a test I would suggest disconnecting 2 of the tracks and jumper and run all three of them off just one connection and see if it then works. I this works then reconnect each of the others one at a time to see which one fails.

I have found that all TMCC receivers are not the same. Some are weaker than others. You can try to add some more antenna into the non working engines. You can also try Gunrunner John's signal booster.

Jim D.

???Dampness, heavy humidity, associated with track ballast that touches the outside rails??? There is a point where the original Cab-1 Command Bases' ability to produce TMCC signal is exceeded.   My layout, 8 to 10 TMCC controlled devices, other than engines.

Trouble shoot.

(1.) Try a different command base.

(2.) Disconnect 1st, 2nd and 3rd loops.

My money is on a bad earth ground from the wall outlet.

I've run modular layouts for years that have 3 or 4 loops concentric to each other.  Never had an issue because of the track proximity.

Check out some of the troubleshooting ideas from one of the best ever here.

This is what I would try, base on my limited knowledge.

Make sure command base in not plugged into a surge protector power strip. The surge protection circuitry could significantly reduce the TMCC signal in the earth ground from getting to you house wiring.

Second, I would take a 25' or 50' extension cord and plugged the command base throught the extension cord to the wall. I would the lay the extension cord next to as much of the outer loop as possible, and see if this helps. This again addresses what others have said earlier about the earth ground, which does carry part of the TMCC signal.

I have attached an explanation that was published in O gauge railroading, but I don't remember how long ago.

The solution.

Disconnect the command base from the outside rail of the
center loop only and connect this outside rail to a safety earth
ground.

The explanation.

This only works if the three loops are powered by separate
transformers with no common wires so that the three loops
are isolated from each other.

The TMCC signal depends on the difference between a
reference and an antenna. Normally the reference is the
outside rail and the antenna is the safety earth ground in
the building wiring.

When the reference signal is strong as in many adjacent
tracks the over the air signal is blocked.

The outside rail of the center loop connected to a safety
earth ground acts as a close by antenna for the two outside
loops.

I use this system on my 20 by 45 foot layout and have used it onmultiple loops at train shows and never have any TMCC signal problems.

The good news.

The receiver on the train doesn't care which signal comes
through the rail and which signal comes through the air.
The center loop receives the over the air signal from the
outside rail of the inner and outer  loops and the
reference from the outside rail that is connected to the
safety earth ground. TMCC will now function on all three
loops.


Considerations.

Any metallic structures, such as a bridge, must be insulated
from the track and connected to the over the air source.
This source would be the earth safety ground for the inner
and outer loops and the command base for the center loop.
The safety earth ground can be either the third connection
on an electrical outlet or from pin 5 of the DB9 connector
on the command base.

Thank you one and all.  These are the  most helpful comments/suggestions I have found anywhere.  Dave Nissan you have described our modular layout.  We will be trying the suggestions asap.  The darned COVID-19 does hamper our ability to work on the layout.