Legacy ES44AC NS #8056 fault when starting forward

The only thing I can think of that would explain your phenomenon is mechanically binding.  The motor is stalling and then tripping the protection circuit. When you give it reverse the motor gets to spin though the backlash unloaded allowing it to get some speed before it absorbs the load.  Then when you go back forward once again backlash first then load.  Try lubricating your running gear and axles.  Inspect gearing for any debris also.

Does it have this problem only  when pulling a hefty 26 freight cars?  Does it do it solo?     

@Steims posted:

The only thing I can think of that would explain your phenomenon is mechanically binding.  The motor is stalling and then tripping the protection circuit. When you give it reverse the motor gets to spin though the backlash unloaded allowing it to get some speed before it absorbs the load.  Then when you go back forward once again backlash first then load.  Try lubricating your running gear and axles.  Inspect gearing for any debris also.

Does it have this problem only  when pulling a hefty 26 freight cars?  Does it do it solo?     

I will inspect and relube everything and then try it solo tomorrow.

I’ll let you know what happens. Thank you.

Steve

This model has the twist-off LionDrive trucks.  I'd remove the trucks (they twist off), and check the drive linkage.  I've had a few of these with the drive "nub" on the motor slipping, which renders that drive truck useless.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

This model has the twist-off LionDrive trucks.  I'd remove the trucks (they twist off), and check the drive linkage.  I've had a few of these with the drive "nub" on the motor slipping, which renders that drive truck useless.

Thank you GRJ.  I’ll do that.

So… this morning I tried running the ES44AC on a shorter consist of 19 tank cars. No fault code in multiple attempts. Hmmm…
I then tried running the engine solo with the same results - not surprisingly, no fault codes on multiple startups.

(Just to compare, I then attached one of my AC6000 locomotives (Southern Pacific #601) to the same 26 coal hopper consist and in multiple tries it never faulted once.)

I then pulled the 44AC off the track for examination (see pics of the trucks below). There was no debris or any issue with either truck as both were able to be rotated by hand still attached to the motors.
I pulled the trucks off to look top side and at the drive linkage and everything was clear. So then I reattached the trucks and lubed the axles and gave all the gears a light application of grease.

After this, I put the locomotive back on the track and ran it solo a few minutes and then reattached it to the 26 coal hopper consist. After running the train for 3-4 minutes (and it moved out from the dead stop with no fault) I began to test the move out process again and again.

I did several more start/stops with a complete track power off/back on. Every time the locomotive started out normally with no fault EXCEPT for one time. Not sure why it did it once but I could not replicate it again.

Do you think it was related to needing lubricated again? Nothing felt ‘dry’ and everything rotated freely prior to the lubrication.

Or, is the 26 coal car consist just a bit too much for the ES44AC? If so, why would the AC6000 not have any issues? And, I’ve actually pulled ~40 cars with my other (single, not lashed up) Legacy locomotives. Very confusing.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Seems like the lubrication helped the situation.  The only other variable seems to the load.  Twenty-six cars may be within capacity but your layout seems to have lots of short radius curves.  Those all add friction and load.  Feels to me like 26 cars is a bit of a load but then again I operate on a 5x9 layout.  Why the AC6000 pulls better I suspect is just slight differences in motors and gearing.  

I assume the truck pics are before lube because they look bone dry.  

@Steims posted:

Seems like the lubrication helped the situation.  The only other variable seems to the load.  Twenty-six cars may be within capacity but your layout seems to have lots of short radius curves.  Those all add friction and load.  Feels to me like 26 cars is a bit of a load but then again I operate on a 5x9 layout.  Why the AC6000 pulls better I suspect is just slight differences in motors and gearing.  

I assume the truck pics are before lube because they look bone dry.  

All the curves are 060s but yes there are more curves than I like currently. However, I’m about to completely redesign the layout so some will be eliminated.

Thanks  

@Raven87 posted:

I then pulled the 44AC off the track for examination (see pics of the trucks below). There was no debris or any issue with either truck as both were able to be rotated by hand still attached to the motors.
I pulled the trucks off to look top side and at the drive linkage and everything was clear. So then I reattached the trucks and lubed the axles and gave all the gears a light application of grease.

When you had the truck off did you grease the internal gearing?

If I recall correctly. On Liondrive trucks.. The top coupling mechanism  can be removed with a few screws exposing the worm and axle gears. These need the grease the most and are usually nearly dry from the factory.

@RickO posted:

When you had the truck off did you grease the internal gearing?

If I recall correctly. On Liondrive trucks.. The top coupling mechanism  can be removed with a few screws exposing the worm and axle gears. These need the grease the most and are usually nearly dry from the factory.

Thank you. No, I did not open the trucks and greased/oiled everything externally but I will try to get to that tomorrow. Good idea.