Locomotives odd operation

If rust not on top should not hurt anything and what track are you using.

You didn't say how far away that section is from the power pack. Run another set of wire to that area and see it it goes away.

I am presuming conventional control, based on your post. Rust and collected oily dirt can certainly affect operations, especially if you are not using command control, but your issue seems like simply a voltage drop on part of your layout. This will be cured by adding some feeders (wires and lockons) to the parts of your layout that has the drop in loco speed.

This is common and typical on layouts of any size, and will also eliminate much of the issue with rusty track pins or the like, as the power now will not depend completely on being fed from a single point.

Just add some feeders. Take it from there.

Having the top of the rails clean is a good start! That provides great electrical contact between the track section and locomotive. However, you are likely experiencing issues with good electrical contact contact between the track sections. With the presumption that you are using the good ol' standard tubular track, you likely have loose connections. You can use needle nose pliers to crimp the flat sides of the female ends together. If that doesn't help, it could be that the inside of the track where the pins make contact is dirty. You can clean that critical 1/2 inch with drill using a 3/32 or 5/64 bit for O27 track or a 7/64 or 3/32 for standard O.

chessie1971 posted:

If rust not on top should not hurt anything and what track are you using.

 

I am using gargraves and atlas o.Something I have just thought of.Maybe I need to get some new track pins.

bmoran4 posted:

Having the top of the rails clean is a good start! That provides great electrical contact between the track section and locomotive. However, you are likely experiencing issues with good electrical contact contact between the track sections. With the presumption that you are using the good ol' standard tubular track, you likely have loose connections. You can use needle nose pliers to crimp the flat sides of the female ends together. If that doesn't help, it could be that the inside of the track where the pins make contact is dirty. You can clean that critical 1/2 inch with drill using a 3/32 or 5/64 bit for O27 track or a 7/64 or 3/32 for standard O.

I am using atlas o and gargraves track.

Gargraves track i would crimp center rail pin. If the center pin on gargraves track is rusted you may need to replace pins or track and atlas you may need to put feeders wire in also i have known the track connectors to croded up on atlas. I would spray elec contact cleaner on them and also make sure your wheels and pick up on engine are very clean. 

D500 posted:

I am presuming conventional control, based on your post. Rust and collected oily dirt can certainly affect operations, especially if you are not using command control, but your issue seems like simply a voltage drop on part of your layout. This will be cured by adding some feeders (wires and lockons) to the parts of your layout that has the drop in loco speed.

This is common and typical on layouts of any size, and will also eliminate much of the issue with rusty track pins or the like, as the power now will not depend completely on being fed from a single point.

Just add some feeders. Take it from there.

Well I have wires but and I do not have the lock on.I just wrap the wire around the rail.It did not affect the operation.But I  will get 2 lock ons.Btw your right about running conventional.            

chessie1971 posted:

Gargraves track i would crimp center rail pin. If the center pin on gargraves track is rusted you may need to replace pins or track and atlas you may need to put feeders wire in also i have known the track connectors to croded up on atlas. I would spray elec contact cleaner on them and also make sure your wheels and pick up on engine are very clean. 

You know your right about the pick up rollers on the engine.Its been awhile since I cleaned them.Any way I am gonna do some changes on my layout.Gonna redo some of my curves and work on leveling out even more.

I want to thank all who reply here.Your ideas have been a big help so thanks.

Your welcome!

If you have rust on the sides of the track that could create resistance if the rust is all the way through and you should add jumpers as other posters have suggested.I would also use a volt meter where the power loss is to compare voltage drop.

Mikey