Engines doing "the crawl"

Hey Jim, I assume you running w/o a control system (TMCC / Legacy) in conventional. The A to D converter on the DCDS (motor driver) is bad, thus resulting in only 1 speed step: SLOW. If you run with command the loco will operate at all speed steps. However, in conventional mode it will only run slow. If you plan to run only conventional the DCDS will need to be replaced to obtain a full range of speed steps. If you need this done you can contact us at Lionel Customer Service at 586-949-4100 ext 2 M-F 8a to 5p Thanks, Mike

Mike, I appreciate it.  And that would explain the GP30, which is Legacy, but the Trainmaster is conventional.

Williams engines like 90+ watts

Something is definitely wrong with that Williams loco. It should be a speed demon and barely want to crawl. Because it is conventional electronics should not be the issue. After checking all your track connections you might have to pull the shell off and check for mechanical problems. It should run just fine with your 80 watt transformer.

Check the transformer with a voltmeter to see if it is giving you the power it is rated for.

I agree regarding the Williams loco. The normal 'problem' with those is in slowing them down, as they normally want to start running even before there is enough power to illuminate the light bulbs. If the lights shine brightly when you run it, it could be something as simple as a lack of lubrication, or carpet fluff etc. jamming up the gears. 

80 watts should run any of those locomotives with nothing else connected to the track.  There's obviously something else going on.

 

If you were overloading the CW-80, it should light the overload light.

That's what I thought John-except the the Gp30 as Mike said.  ESPECIALLY since 2 of my engines ran fine on it.

what power supply are you using, exactly.

 

Regardless, the the first thing i would do is actually measure the voltage, on the track, while the locos are "crawling" and you have the throttle at full power?  Are you sure they are really getting full voltage?  It should be close to 18V AC, but if you had a bad joint or junction it might be less.

Mike could be right on that one, he knows that stuff well.  However, I'd point out that since three engines have the same problem, it's possible it's not any problem with the GP30, but rather a problem with the environment.

 

First thing I'd do is measure the track voltage, and next would be a different transformer.

Jim, What road name is the train master? And also what road name is the Geep 30? Thanks, Mike

Mike, the GP30 is Seaboard, the trainmaster Reading.  I lubed the trainmaster, and its up to speed,  undoubtedly had just been sitting up a long time.  The only problem with it now, it'll run well, the you hear a schreeching like metal on metal, and when it does, it slows, then when it stops, it picks back up.

If it is a Williams by Bachmann engine giving you problems contact Bachmann! Bachmann has been hit with some bad circuit boards from China, the circuit boards are malfunctioning and not the motors, Bachmann will fix this, but contact them now!

Bachmann will not openly acknowledge this but that is what is wrong.

 

Lee F.

Open it up and lube the motor, that sounds like the classic sound of a Pulmore motor with dry armature bearings!