Short

You need to give me info here.....for instance, when you put the locomotive on the track, does it make any noise at all or just sit there.  Do you have another locomotive you can try or do you have a tester that you can use across the tracks to see if you are getting power to the tracks, etc.

Engine just sits,no I don't have a second engine,to test.i do have a electrical tester.the train did run when I first set it up.next day nothing.transformer kicks out after I put power to track

@Kazellin posted:

Engine just sits,no I don't have a second engine,to test.i do have a electrical tester.

OK, does your "electrical tester" show voltage to and on the track?

the train did run when I first set it up.next day nothing.transformer kicks out after I put power to track

Are you saying the transformer "kicks out" with absolutely NOTHING sitting on the track? 

That is generally indicative of a short. I would re-check all your track connections to start. Also:

1. What transformer are you using ?

2. What locomotive ?

3. How are you making the connection between the transformer and the track ?

Lionel lm hand seaboard 601,

 Not sure what "lm hand" means ?  Do you mean a Lionel "LW" transformer ? 

1. Can you disconnect the transformer from the track and connect your meter to the output terminals of the transformer to see if it is putting out voltage and not shutting off  ?

2. What wires go from what terminals on the transformer to where on the Fastrack ?

5 volts

5 volts is not sufficient to operate the 601. The only way to get 5 volts on a operational LW is by unconventionally between terminals B and C.

Traditionally, the A post of the LW is connected to the outside rail and the I terminal the center rail and this provides 7-20 volts variable AC to the track.

Is that with the transformer all the way up ? That's not enough power for a good running layout. Is that a DC or AC transformer ?

We don't seem to be having good back 'n forth communication. Unfortunately, I'm leaving my office for the day now and won't be able to continue.

Hopefully, somebody else can pick this up and resolve it for you.

Thanks.

U posts is connected to center,a is connected to outside

I have U post,B post 2 A posts hand C post

If when not hooked to track, the transformer should stay on as you turn the throttle. Check with a voltmeter or 6-24v bulb etc.

Hooked to BARE track it should also stay on. If not check your wiring and seperate the connection track from all others.

If the connection still doesnt work you're doing something wrong or that conn track has issues you haven't found. 

 Once you have one piece of track that works, now try the loco on it. maybe add one piece of track extra, no more.

If it works, add one piece of track at a time until it stops. There is the problem piece.  

Or use an ohm meter and check the track for continuity(connection) between center rail and outer rail, check the loop then pull one off & check again, and or check each piece (alone). Any connection is bad track.

Before hand you may want to lay the loco on it's side and touch the wires to roller and frame and it should try to run. If it didn't spark badly or trip the breaker but didn't turn, try again it may be in neutral. You should also detect the eunit coil buzz. 

Oil it before you start, and check that grease hasn't hardened on gears or in the e-unit too. (flush clean with WD-40 or CRC electrical cleaners... and WD40 is not a lube, use a good oil like mobile 1 or something new and train specific.)

Same for old oil varnishes (3in1varnishes)

Again, what transformer? Normally U is the outside rail, but Lionel, in all their infinite wisdom, made a few the opposite.

Because of your terminal arrangement, it sounds like you have the LW transformer which, as John said, is wired differently than most Lionel transformers.

With the LW, the A post should be connected to the outside rails of the Fastrack and the U post to the center rail. Because you have two (identical) A posts, you might want to try swapping them and see if that makes a difference.

BTW, getting 5 volts means you have the B and C posts connected.

You never responded as to how you were making the connections to the Fastrack but, as I said before, I would disconnect the wire leads from the Fastrack and measure the voltage between the two wires (one being connected to the A post and one to the U post) and see if you are getting full 18v voltage. 

Gotta go - sorry  - good luck !