While I'm in the process of trying to figure out this issue, how about a few pictures of the beast?
It stinks she's not working perfect "Yet" but she looks real good doing it! Would it be worth doing a whole new ERR system to it?
This is where we are at.
1/48th scale - I have not tried swapping the the blind drivers to a different location. What you are saying about the transfer of power on the drivers makes sense and I can see how the engine may run better but I don't think that has to do with my issue because I am also having the problem on straight track. I think for good long term running you method is the way to go.
Pat - I checked the continuity of the handrails and all was good. I have not tried swapping the R2LC yet.
Rob - Yes, I am well aware of earth grounds. I have an O gauge Camelback that took me a long time to get working on my layout. All the tinplate accessories cause issues with the TMCC signal. Many have earth ground wires installed. I did try laying an earth ground wire along the track and tried the Commodore again, but that didn't help.
Dennis - I did try cleaning the track. The wheels were clean. Made no difference.
Chris - The train actually belongs to a friend. My plan was to install the ERR cruise control like I did for the Hiawatha but I wanted to make sure it was running correctly before I modified it. That's how we discovered this problem.
I guess my next step is to swap some boards and see what happens. I really thought it may have been a signal issue since it worked fine on a test track off the layout.
I really do appreciate eveyone's help. It's like you guys are all here in my workshop helping me troubleshoot.
Geez-o-pete... Joe... sounds like you have just about exhausted your easy fixes...
The only other thing that I can think of is a radio board issue. See if you can swap it out and try her again. IF that aint it, then I suggest a wire by wire continuity check. wiggle the wires while check to see if the issue is static or dynamic. Last thing I can think of is to give Lionel a call.
Wish I could be more help!
The only problem I ever had with mine was that it would stutter going through a Hellgate bridge. I insulated the ties/rails from the Hellgate Bridge floor and that cured it.
Mine had a defective speaker, when new.
Someone wanted to run theirs on the floor layout at Cal Stewart a few years ago. That one would not respond to command control at all, but would run in conventional.
The final test: run the engine on the floor on a 42 loop. If it works there then the problem is layout related.
Jim,
Yeah I do plan I trying a loop of 042 on the floor. That would let me know for sure.
But at this point I'm going back to it being a mechanical issue. This morning while running some more tests, the engine starting running better on straight track and only stutter on the curves. I think that, as one Forum member suggested, it needs to be broken in a bit. I also think that 1/48th scale is right with the location of the blind drivers. I will be able to confirm this once I run it on a separate loop of 042 track.
If the train does stutter on the separate loop, I am going to set up a loop of 072 and run it until it's broken in. Then I will probably install the cruise control at that point. The long term solution if running on 042 curves will be to switch the location of the blind drivers.
I also pulled the motors and carefully checked the gears and the grease box. Everything seemed good in there.
Rak,
I had to do the same with my Hellgate Bridge.
Hi Joe,
But if the issues are, in fact, mechanical and not electronic, wouldn't you get the same binding, etc in conventional mode that you get in TMCC? I thought you verified that the engine runs smoothly in conventional mode and that you only have the described issues in TMCC.
Mack
Ugggh! I forgot about that. More testing needed.
So just to summarize so I don't forget the test results again......
Joe,
I am a newbie but just wanted to throw something out there, at the very least it might spark other ideas. Here it goes: Did you buy this engine new? If you bought it used is it possible it was set up for DC? I bought an engine (not being very well informed at the time) a few months ago where it was exhibiting the same sputtered you mentioned, turns out it was set up for DC.
Ferromex
Joe, also check (if you haven't already) to see if the headlight flickers when it's stuttering. Means a weak command signal.
-Pat
It's definitely set up for AC. The set was new and never run. But thanks for the idea. Every idea is a help.
The headlight never flickered. I also never had trouble controling the engine. The signal seemed to be fine.
I tried the engine on a separate 042 loop under TMCC control and guess what? It ran fine. So it works on 042 track which means it's not a mechanical issue. I've had the engine runnig on a 072 track for the past hour. I thoroughly cleaned the layout track with alcohol and will now try the engine again on the layout.
Well tried it back on the layout after a break-in and a good track cleaning. No change. I'm totally stumped. I think at this point I'm just going to install the cruise control and see how she runs after that.
Wil this thread be continued on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries?
I'm totally stumped...
That is true for a bunch of us. Sometimes it is the combination of a few small things that makes these gremlins appear. Good luck with the install...it might clear it right up!
Well, the problem is fixed but not solved. The cruise control did exactly what I hoped it would. The engine now runs smooth with no stuttering even through the 042 curves on the layout. I guess we may never know what the real cause was but at least we're good to go now.
Thank again for everyone's help. It's much appreciated. 
Great News Joe! Thanks for the report.
You don't win anything for "stumping the panel" however 
LOL! I'm just glad I didn't have to pay you guys by the hour. 
Hey Pat.
I thought about the binding on the curves too but it also does it on straight track at slow speeds. Also, it only happens under command control. In conventional mode it runs fine, so it seems to be an electronic issue and not a mechanical issue.....I think.
Joe, If that loco has two vertical motors operating with worm gears or bevel gears, that is ONE of your problems. Both of those motors are attached to the same gear on the center axle. If both of those motors are NOT running at the same POWER or RPM the other motor is pushing the axle gear into the opposing worm or bevel gear (not pushing it up or into, but much rather twisting it into the other motor gear). It could be a motor problem. It obviously has no speed control or I would never have stated the twin motors might be out of sync. ).Secondly, you spoke of a great cab overhang in running your engine. I have a 400e that I run at Christmas time on 42" track. It also has a great overhang and only has two drive wheels to maneuver through 42" track. If your running that loco on 42" track, that locos center drivers are most likely not making contact with the rails when it negotiates the curve. Aside from the fact that the center drivers DO help drive that loco on the straights ( the blind driver do make contact with the rails ), you are losing them on the curves, and the six wheels expanse, with two outer flanged wheels, in my opinion is too great for 42" curve track. This is causing your slowing and shaking in the curves. I've never been a fan of Lionel putting the power of the engine in the center blind driver and using the side rods to power the outside flanged wheels. If it is not one or both of these issues, I'm as baffled as you are. Let us know how you make out. 148th
Joe, I think that the two motors un-synchronized and without cruise caused your problem. 148th
YEA !!! BON VOYAGE !! MTH/Lionel we need more coaches built like these!! They will look awesome behind future Jersey Central Camelbacks in Standard Gauge.
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