Hogwart's "jump" start

I don't know why but there is a slight delay when first powering up this engine. Then it suddenly takes off.
Mine does the same thing.

I am guessing that this has something to do with the electronics in some newer Lionel Equipment My Kids Polar Express Berk does the same thing and I was told by Service techs that they are designed like this so that the engine does not take off full throttle when the power pack is turned up.  I am not sure if this is your issue as well but something for one of the Techies on her to Answer

dont know if this helps or not

I just got a Thomas the Train for kids and it also has a delay in movement, then ramps up to set speed but I would not call it a jump start. Perhaps they just geared Thomas slower.

Turn the power up to 5-7 volts and wait for the train to start. Then boost the throttle until the desired speed is achieved.

 

Re-reading the Op made me think.

Put the Engine on the track, apply a low voltage and wait.

Does the engine wait, then start off slow or Jerk into motion?

If it waits then starts slow it's just the delay they put into it.

 

If it still jerks to a low speed it is something else.

Perhaps handling the engine is making the side rods bind, then once they free up it's OK.

Stop it and let it sit without touching it for an hour, Try again.

If it jerks again you have a problem.

If it doesn't jerk the second time run it slowly and observe the side rods for binding.
First, look for a bent rod hitting something.

Then check to see if a screw on the drivers is backing out and hitting the rods.

If no help there:

Open the engine and rotate the flywheel on top of the motor (assuming it has one) and see if it rotates smoothly for many turns. Make sure you rotate enough to make the drive wheels go all the way around once or more.

If it jerks or binds back off and go again, see if it hits in the same place.

First, check to see if something is hitting the Drive Rods.

Then try removing the screws from both rods on a set of wheels.

If no change put those screws back and pull the screws from the next pair of wheels.

While the screws are out look for flash or rough edges on the holes for the screws. I've had trouble there on other engines..

 

If it still binds, Pull the motor from the truck and inspect the gears for a rough spot.

Check each gear carefully, it can be hard to spot or it can show right up.

I'd doubt this one as you say it runs good after one jump start.

It may be that the Grease needs replaced in the gear wells.

Older grease can set up but it usually takes years.

Once it is open I would replace the grease with Red N Tacky #2.

Totally unrelated to your issue, but if you come across correct size figures, let me know.  Have looked around with out success. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Checking it out will be the next project. Let you know what I found.

Scotie

Are you using the CW-80 that comes with the set?  The issue may not be the engine it may be the way that CW's chopped sine wave "ramps" up.

Dale H

I got the cars in this condition but the addition of a polyfuse is a great idea to prevent its reoccurance. I'm not sure the diode voltage drop would help as the jack rabbit start only happens after it been unused for a while. Stop it and then it starts smoothly, I've got to check the items Russell suggested.

Chuck

I'm running it on a ZW and other engines I've had on the same track behave as expected.

Again thanks all.

I'm running on O42 tubular that's far from perfectly installed. No derailments yet (although from the state of the pickup wires in the coaches the PO had several) and it pulls the three coaches with ease. I'm happy with it so far except for the jump the first time it starts. Need to take a look for some mechanical binding or lack of lubrication.

Scotie

My son's RTR FT and Berk do the same thing.  It's the way they are designed I believe, as I think the manual says something about it.  It has something to do with waiting for the RTR Railsounds to have time to startup before the locomotive moves.

Took another look at the engine and found that if I advance the throttle until the light come on and then wait for what seems a long time but is probably 5-10 sec it starts slowly. Its behaving as sinclair described for his son's locos. Of course there's no sound in the Hogwart's.

I'm still going to give it a good mechanical once over as per Russell when I get the time.

Thanks all for your input.

Scotie