New Brute..Runs and stops cold.

Doc,

All that I can offer is that this sounds much more like an engine problem than a DCS problem. Since the engine is new, I'd contact MTH and talk to tech support about the problem. If necessary, you can have MTH repair it under warranty.

In the mean time, a couple of questions:

• When the engine stops, is it at the same place on the tracks each time?
• When it stops, can you get it to start up again by sliding it slightly on the rails, without breaking contact between the rails, and the engine's wheels and pickup rollers?

It would also be helpful to know it the problem occurs when running conventionally.

Does it happen in the same location every time?

Thanks Barry.
Nope ... The engine almost never stops in the same place.

No again ... will NOT start after sliding forward.

It seems to run O.K. conventionally

Doc,

I've seen these symptoms before with 3 volt PS2 engines, twice personally and twice as described by others.

In both of my cases and at least one of the others, it turned out to be a problem with the PS2 board. Swapping the board solved the problem. However, all of the occurrences were with O gauge engines.

I have had similar things happen with loose plugs connectors inside the engines.

I had what Barry described with the tethers also (the one on my oldest PS-2 steamer got week after a while and would not stay in properly-it would stop dead, the lights would go out, etc.)