I am vexed.
Lionel 1997, TMCC, model #6-18952 Alco PA-1 units (A) run fine by themselves (as a single A). Each A has 2 motors.
When either A unit is individually coupled to the dummy (B) as in AB, they run fine. (PB-1, non-motorized B unit (dummy), 6-18965)
When the units are placed in the MU/Lashup configuration of ABA as Lionel directions instruct, the wicket gets sticky:
- consist will get started then stops due to a short somewhere in the ABA consist. The shorts continue until the consist is placed in reverse . . . . then when restored to forward the shorts begin again. This short/go/short/go . . . will finally quit . . . for a while; like the train will travel 25 feet or more, or less and then the short/go sequence begins again.
As I wrote above I can restore forward motion if I get a reverse command into the consist; or I can turn off all track power, wait 10 seconds, restore track power and the ABA consist will start up as it should . . . . for maybe 25 feet etc. Then the short/go-short/go sequence begins again. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!
I have restored the factory settings over and over and over to no avail. I have reprogrammed the MU/Lash-up sequence over and over. No fix.
Incidentlly, this Alco ABA set is the most gutless engines we have. They can barely pull 4 cars up a 2.5% grade. That's 4 motors going full out. Every other engine we have storms up that grade with 20 cars in tow.
What am I not doing? Or what am I doing?
I have inspected the underside of each unit until I am cross-eyed. Everything appears to be as it should; no loose anything, no bodies, no nothing flopping about. Each A runs fine by itself.
Three days before Christmas this set ran for a full hour without a glitch. Now, it's a pile of sick do=do.
Ah the woes of runnin' trains . . . .. Watch 'em go until they run under the dark cloud. And then ask yourself, "What NOW?"
So does anyone have either words of encouragement or advice?
Thanks for reading my sordid tale.
