Lionel 700e E-unit problem

Assuming this is a new behavior:

• First, start easy - clean the tracks and clean the pickup rollers and wheels.
• Check for continuity between the rollers
• Go deeper in inspecting the internal wiring

If this isn't new behavior, but consistent behavior, it could be an incompatibility with your locomotive and switch due to the geometries. This will require a careful study of observing the locomotive at very slow speeds to determine if contact is lost, or an inadvertent short is made. Someone may have already studied their 1990 700e and switch combination, but you'd have to share what switch model(s) you are having issues with. The 700e has unusually shaped rollers that may make accommodating this locomotive through switches a challenge.

You did not tell us the space between the center rollers on the tender.  A picture would sure help.  Also, what is the switch you are using?  You may not have enough distance between the rollers to continue operation.  If all else fails, add a car behind the tender with a center rail pick up and wire it to the tender center rail wires on the tender.

bruce

Bruce, The model I believe he is referencing, 6-18005, does not have pickup rollers on the tender:

I am using a Lionel FasTrack 0-72 switch

Yes, you are right

Sometimes the roller spacing on some engines will be the same as a pair of dead spots in diamonds or switches. My Lionel Niagara will stall on a Ross double slip switch. Other club members have problems with their Lionel L2 Mohawks on some switches. The fix is to add a single wire tether from the engine to the tender.

Even though this tender may have not come with a roller pickup, Lionel offers one.

You can also install the tender trucks from the 1990s Dark gray CV Hudson which came with roller pickups.

Pete

I've done the roller pick up addition Pete described to my 18005 Hudson. It's a bit tedious to install, but the change is well worth it. The rear tender truck has a space and hole to mount the pickup roller above. You might need to add another wire and plug from engine to tender as well. The pick up mount (plastic part) may also need to be bent a tad and add some spacers to keep the roller the same height as the truck.

Make sure that both rollers have continuity with each other. I am currently in the process of abusing a Lionel "704" (700E architecture) Warhorse Hudson, and when I tested it is stopped on switches. Odd. 

Continuity checking revealed that one roller was dead. It was not plugged in. Removed boiler and plugged it in.

You may have a broken roller wire, also.

The 700E will run over virtually any switches. Talk about a de-bugged design.

Interesting chain as I will soon be prepping my 700E to run, for the first time. I do have a number of different types of Ross switches, so if I have any difficulties I know what to check. 

D500 posted:

Make sure that both rollers have continuity with each other. I am currently in the process of abusing a Lionel "704" (700E architecture) Warhorse Hudson, and when I tested it is stopped on switches. Odd. 

Continuity checking revealed that one roller was dead. It was not plugged in. Removed boiler and plugged it in.

You may have a broken roller wire, also.

The 700E will run over virtually any switches. Talk about a de-bugged design.

What are you doing to your warhorse Hudson. Just wondering. I like working on engines as well.

That you guys for the help. It was a mix of continuity and a roller not spinning.