Random Reversing Problem -- Lionel

I'm assuming conventional mode and electronic reverse boards, is that correct?

It sounds like a transient is overriding the lockout, have you cleaned the wheels, pickups, and track?

 It sounds like a possible glitch in the electronics. If the problem occurs again, turn off the power and unplug the transformer for a minute. Then plug it back in again and try the locomotive again. If it restarts in forward again, that pretty much will confirm a glitch.

Larry

I think it's not the electronics itself, unless all three of them are bad.

Interestingly, the problem has occurred across multiple layouts:

1.  2008-era Pennsy Flyer with CW-40 transformer, set up since May of 2012 as our home layout.

2.  Dad's 2012 North Pole Express set, bought for under the Christmas tree at his house, Received in November, set up in December, run until New Years with CW-40 Transformer.

3.  Again with the 2012 NJ Transit Work Train set we bought to upgrade the old Pennsy on the layout at home, received 1/18/2013, and we upgraded the CW-40 to a CW-80 at the same time, which is what came with the NJ set.

I will try cleaning the tracks but what's odd to me is that it has happened with all the different combinations, hard to rule any one component out as bad.

Yes, conventional mode, electronic reverse boards.

When I have something like this, I just start eliminating possibilities until I get down to one.   Cleaning track, wheels, and pickups is an easy step and will either prove or disprove that as the issue.  Then you can move on to the next possibility.

I have been amazed in the past with how often attentively cleaning wheels and rollers cures all sort of ailments, including exactly this behavior on some older engines I have.  Throw in the possiblity that the track (all three layouts) might be a bit dirty, too, and clean it for good measure before seeking an explanation elsewhere.

Edit: actually, on thinking it over for a few more minutes, I think every case I ever had of exactly this random reversal occurring was due mostly to dirty center pickups.

Great, I will try cleaning the track and center pickups.

Thanks!

Clean the wheels too.

If you have lighted cars, like a caboose or passenger car remove them from the track to see if that helps with your problem. I had a command control engine that I thought was acting up but the lighted caboose was shorting out at the truck assembly and causing the whole problem, I cleaned and cleaned and still had the problem.

Cleaning will help with electronic problems, especially when the horn sounds off and you didn't hit the horn/whistle button.

Lee F.

More good tips, thanks!  All of these trains used that have had this problem have lighted cabooses.