Did we ever get a resolution on the OP's problem?
@gunrunnerjohn Sounds good and I'll report back how mine fairs to give some information to potential buyers. On a side note I've read a lot of your posts which have been incredibly informative it has been most appreciated.
Good afternoon all. I guess I should have waited for the OP to respond but I fear that person may not have found a solution. My engine stalls in exactly the same way, as soon as the front trucks enter the switch if it's not going fast enough it looses power and shuts off.
EDIT - Ok I reviewed all the content in this thread and found that if I do some track work leveling around the switch it improved the situation dramatically - running at a pretty slow speed I don't get a drop out on my main loop this runs on after those efforts. However, I have a yard where trains back in and out of that has a 3/4" track section with a break between power sections where I have to give it some gas to get through. I don't have this problem with any other engines from Atlantics to the new Berks that just came out. If someone has a lot of switches I could see this being a bigger issue.
Based on the count of this thread, 2 other individuals plus myself have the problem so that would reduce the likelihood this is an individual defect like a wire not connected, and more likely a design quirk (Unless 3 shipped with a similar wire issue)? I guess there's no harm in switching out traction tires, but I'm curious if my evidence leans more to a ground issue or lack in continuity between all the rollers on the engine. Opening up the shell in looking for some loose connections inside could be another thing, but although I'm fairly comfortable with electronic work, going inside a brand new $1500 engine gives me pause...
