Another interesting phenomenon: As the engine goes over a lock-on mounted to Gar Graves track, everything is fine. Once the dummy goes over it, there is a momentary pause in speed, but then it resumes. Also at the same time the green light on my transformer blinks. What type of electrical gremlin is here?
Thanks...
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Something is shorting out. Roll the dummy over that section of track and look at the wheels (and rollers if the dummy has any). Roll slowly until the problem occurs and get your head down to track level and take a look.
Larry
If the dummy has thumbtacks on the couplers, I'd check there first. A thumbtack thats shorting on the center rail will have arc marks from the shortout.
A possible solution to your problem is to use the Gargraves track outside rail as an insulated section rather then use the lock-on. Cut with a hacksaw a short section at both ends about 2 inches long and install a power clip from the bottom to get the outside rail power.
Do you have Williams engines by any chance? I have a few SD-45's by Williams and had to replace their dummy wheelset with metal wheels rather then plastic wheels and that solved a lock-on power issue with Lionel type tubular track and a highway crossing light.
Lee Fritz
It is a Williams Shark Nose diesel dummy I purchased new at York several years ago. The lock-on is really the Gargraves clips which are flimsey and fit into the rails.
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