I just purchased my second MTH RailKing system (Amtrak F40P #401) to go along with a 6 year old Union Pacific Steam system (UP 2-8-0 #607). The Amtrak system came with a DCS Explorer internet command interface. I had no trouble setting up the DCS explorer but it would not simultaneously run both trains using the provided Z-500 50 watt brick. It would run one train at a time, but whenever I tried to run them both, the trains would both grind to a halt and the DCS Explorer would reset to its standby mode (red track light). So I purchased a Z-1000 100 watt brick thinking that would solve my problem. It didn't!!! I can sometimes get both trains to run simultaneously for a short while, but eventually the same reset happens. I even tried turning off the Sound, Smoke and Headlights functions on both engines but the problem persists in this configuration. My layout consists of an inside extended oval (about 3 feet by six feet) and and outside oval (4 feet by 7 1/2 feet) opening to an another extended oval (31 inches by 10 feet). I have two O-31 automatic switches on the inside loop and two O-42 automatic switches on the outside loop. To help with the power situation, I am powering all four switches from a separate Z-500 brick. Layout pics provided.
The whole reason I wanted to get the DCS Explorer was so I could run both trains at the same time on the same or connected tracks. Now it seems that I can't. Does anyone have any suggestions?
As a side question........... the "lock-on" that provides power to the track only connects to the center rail and one of the outside rails. Are both outside rails supposed to somehow be connected to the "common" side of the DCS Explorer? If so, how does that happen? I have tried connecting a separate lock-on to the other outside rail.......... but with no improvement to my problem.
