Engine slows down in one block of track---any ideas?

Is it the farthest from the main transformer connection?   Did you use thinner wire on it?  Does the wire have good connections? 

Jim 

Checking the voltage without a load on it will yield false results.

There must be a higher than optimum resistance in the wiring to that block. Has the power switch gone bad? Bad solder joints?

Is that section/block not level?

Does the train slow down in both directions in that block?

I checked the voltage with a load.  The track section in that area is level.  There is no soldering.  Train does slow down in both directions.

I will try some alternate wiring.  Thanks for the suggestion.

How is it isolated?

Are both the center and running rails using fiber pins?

The TMCC signal has to come through the running rails, so make sure the section has a good connection to Common.

JDA,

   What kind of Track are you running?   Are you running DCS also ?  Sounds like a possible Track problem to me.  You may need another Legacy drop to help your signal also, when Guns comes out with Dale's Legacy signal booster, you are a prime candidate for it.

PCRR/Dave

Trainman2 posted:

How is it isolated?

Are both the center and running rails using fiber pins?

The TMCC signal has to come through the running rails, so make sure the section has a good connection to Common.

Both rails are isolated with fiber pins.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

JDA,

   What kind of Track are you running?   Are you running DCS also ?  Sounds like a possible Track problem to me.  You may need another Legacy drop to help your signal also, when Guns comes out with Dale's Legacy signal booster, you are a prime candidate for it.

PCRR/Dave

O gauge tubular track.   am also running DCS.  I have a separate drop on this block with two extensions off the main lock on connection.

The issue likely doesn't lie within the locomotive or command system. This all points to a track or track wiring issue. Since you have replaced track pieces and have three connection points on this block driven from the same feed, I would start with looking at your run to the main lock on connection. Use a nice heavy gauge 14 (or larger - larger is smaller in number) for your track power leads.

bmoran4 posted:

The issue likely doesn't lie within the locomotive or command system. This all points to a track or track wiring issue. Since you have replaced track pieces and have three connection points on this block driven from the same feed, I would start with looking at your run to the main lock on connection. Use a nice heavy gauge 14 (or larger - larger is smaller in number) for your track power leads.

I had some heavy bare copper wire and tried that.  Solved the problem.   So it is a wiring issue, not heavy enough wire.  Can I use the bare copper wire to solve the problem.  I do not think it will cause any shorts.

While bare copper wire conducts just as well as insulated copper wire (of the same gauge), it would be wise to use insulated wire. It is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to replacing any inadvertently damaged items.

JDA posted:

Trainman2 posted:

How is it isolated?

Are both the center and running rails using fiber pins?

The TMCC signal has to come through the running rails, so make sure the section has a good connection to Common.

Both rails are isolated with fiber pins.

I would suspect the outside rails. That is where part of the Legacy/TMCC signal travels.

DCS signal is on the center rail. It doesn't care if one or both outside rails are common. Only the center rail needs to be blocked.

TMCC/Legacy likes both outside rails.

Remove the outside rail insulating pins at both ends of this block and replace with regular pins.

bmoran4 posted:

While bare copper wire conducts just as well as insulated copper wire (of the same gauge), it would be wise to use insulated wire. It is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to replacing any inadvertently damaged items.

I also think I need a heavy duty switch for that block.  Tested that too and it is part of the problem.

Sir,

Use a high quality 14 Gauge Stranded wire for your DCS drops, run the Legacy Drop from the outside Black Terminal with your DCS Black Drop, then run a separate Legacy drop directly from the Legacy Base Unit to the opposite outside rail, from your DCS Black drop.  This should eliminate your wiring problems.

PCRR/Dave

Generally sounds like a ground problem.