Signal Issue?

I think you have a TMCC signal problem. hold your hand over the engine., does that make any difference? Are all your outside rail common to each other on all tracks?

If placing your hand over the loco makes the problem go away it is a signal issue.  You can fix it by using the auxiliary "ground wire" fix.  While over under tracks, chicken wire and metal bridges are the usual source of these problems there can be other sources.  They aren't always obvious and its easier to supply a secondary source for the "other half" so the trains will run properly.

Gentlemen,

    This is interesting, waiting to see what Cheryl comes back with, I am new to this Legacy/TMCC stuff.

PCRR/Dave

Apparently Charly can't post replies  but can edit her original post . scroll up A few new facts.

Perhaps not editing in place, but rather putting in updates below the original would make it easier to read?

Why would she not be able to reply to the thread?

There was a bug in the program several months back.  When certain people responded to a topic the original poster was locked out.  G

I would test some other engines too.  If this is just the Shay, the problem may be the Shay R2LC.  If other engines are affected, than you have a TMCC signal strength issue.  G

Hi, thanks again for all the input. 

It would seem that I am unable to post replies and any formatting on my computer.  It isn't just when some people respond, I cannot respond to my own thread even if someone else hasn't.  Weird.  Someone, somewhere, mentioned a Java update that was bad and I suspect this is my problem. 

Anyway, I do not think it is the engine, but ya never know.  Do plan to run another, but they're all packed up right now, so have to dig one out, ugh!  Will post any other findings if and when they occur.  Thanks again guys!

Hi Cheryl,

When your engine stopped, did the headlight flash? If not, then I'm wondering if perhaps your track geometry issue allowed enough of a momentary interruption in power to cause the engine to stop, but not enough to trigger an instant sound shutdown. This could be especially true if you have a battery installed. Just a thought. 

How about a picture of where it occurs with the engine in place?

Is it stopping on:

A straight?

A curve?

A switch?

Does it only stop in one direction?

Both directions?

So far any of the track, only one direction (haven't tried the other direction, Shays are a pita to rail).  It never shuts off the lights, will continue running when the throttle is advanced.  On the switch, I put a screw in it to hold it flat and that solved that.  On an O72 curve, swapped out the curve and adjusted some shorter straight pieces to longer ones.  On the straight, adjusting shorter to longer pieces of track and repositioning.  At the store now, will do some more running/testing tonight and report back tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone for your input

It soumds like you are momentarily loosing ground. If after replaclng or adjusting the track you still have a problem, I would check your engine grounds.

Bill

Have tested the loop with the Shay in both directions and all is good.  Also, ran my TMCC Alco 420 and it ran as well as it ever does in both directions.  It would seem that intermittent track connections due to poor track geometry was the problem.  Thanks again everybody, really appreciate all the suggestions.  For now it would seem that all is on even keel in my little O gauge world. 

Cheryl,

Glad to hear your issue is resolved. Is this a geometric pattern you dreamed up and the tracks have a bit of "adjustment" then?

"Is this a geometric pattern you dreamed up and the tracks have a bit of "adjustment" then?"

Yes, it is my own track plan, worked out with RRTrack.  As some of us are learning, the software isn't exact, and you do end up making adjustments as you go along.  So far I have only half of the layout powered, the right half in the drawing below.

In the following photo it would be the section where you can see the train sitting.

Cheryl,

    Unless you had a gap in your FasTrack some place your problem will probably resurface.  With a one level FasTrack layout you should not be having the problem you discribed, unless you have a faulty section of FasTrack some place on the layout, in the general area where your train is having problems. 

Real nice FasTrack custom layout Cherly, I really like it, real nice design job!

Having run a multi level FT layout for many years I had a similar problem and found that one of the guys had damaged a short section of FasTrack while installing it, into the layout, drove me nuts for about 2 months till I found the intermittent problem and replaced the short section of FasTrack.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks Dave (PCRR) for your kind words.  I did end up replacing a piece of O72 curve.  It didn't snap into place quite right and when I put the new piece it did make a difference.  I've often thought a multiple level layout would be fun, but I never can come up with a track plan I like.

Cherly,

    I have found when building multi level your design work must be done per each level as you build, as you have seen the computer generated designs are not perfect and track spacing becomes critical for trestle placement.  It is better to actually design multi level layouts a little at a time as you construct the layout, it really becomes a serious custom design engineering problem, which from your layout work, looks like you would really enjoy tackeling, it does take time however. 

I wanted to asked you how you like your Legacy Shay, I just made a deal for one and am waiting for my new Legacy unit to arrive.  These Shay engines with their different design are really something, I have only seen one in action and I was very impressed.

Does your Legacy Shay run on FasTrack, as smooth as they look?

PCRR/Dave

Very nice track plan and layout build.

A quick question for you, in the picture it looks like the Fastrack sections are curling up at the joints where they meet? Is that true?

(Or is it one of those "optical occlusions?")

I am having some tracks curling.  This is because on a previous layout they were on pink foam on OSB and if I stepped or put my knee on them the foam would give and the track would bend.  Not the case now on homasote.  As I spot them "curling" I can reshape them back to flat with gentle pressure.

Cheryl,

    Well it looks like you experienced why we do not recommend building with the pink foam, wish you would have said something about building with it, prior to constructing your layout.  Live and learn however.  I still recommend screwing down your FasTrack,

your engines really do work a lot better when the FasTrack is stabilized.  I believe you will like the homasote a lot better.  I maybe going back to it on the next Christmas layout myself, however I really like the old sound supression ceiling tile best.  The 12" blocks are really easy to work with, getting harder to find it now, however.

PCRR/Dave 

"...you experienced why we do not recommend building with the pink foam..."  When I built my first layout this technique was all the "rage."  Never again!  It melts, it gives, it crumples on the edges and is just generally unacceptable.  I listened to a lot of local guys and used it on their reccomendation.  I wanted to go homasote then.  As you said..."live and learn."

Cheryl,

   I am not kidding about the 12" square sound suppression ceiling tile cover with a light indoor out door rug, I use the green.  Easy to work with and deadens the FasTrack sound

real well.  The homasote is a good 2nd choice however.

PCRR/Dave

" I am not kidding about the 12" square sound suppression ceiling tile... "  Lol,  I didn't think you were.  My old HO railroad club, (still going btw)  used it extensively in their layout.  But as you said, it is diffifult to find.  And though I/O carpet is a neat way to go, it's not the look I'm after.  TEHO.  You're layout is very nice and I always enjoy your pix!

Just an FYI, I've been in Model Railroading since 1978!  There's always more to learn, but I've also seen a lot, lol.

Cheryl,

    I meant no disrespect as to your knowledge and experience, I was just adding to the thread and enjoying talking with you.  I did figure your experdience level was pretty darn high, as I viewed your FasTrack layout design.  I enjoy the converstaions here on the OGR very much.  The more I participate in the coversations the more I learn also.  Thank you very much for the nice comment on my layout photo's.

PCRR/Dave

"I meant no disrespect as to your knowledge and experience..."  I didn't take it that way, no worries. 

As to the Shay, it is just TMCC, but it does run nicely on the FasTrack.  I would say that it has a little stutter due to the driving of the gearing.  It's little bell is in constant motion as it goes around indicating that.  It doesn't bother me and it also will run on the O48.  I keep the drive shaft to outside of the loop so as not to cramp it, but it will run the reverse direction if I wanted it to.

I have a video I planned to post, but I need to get the darn thing to upload first, arrgh.  My IT connection can be a PITA, sometimes

 Western Maryland Shay

Cheryl,

    That western M is a way cool Shay, very serious engine no doubt about it.

Thanks much for the video, I really enjoyed it!  Looks & runs real good on the FasTrack also.  Can't wait to pick mine up!

PCRR/Dave

I clicked on the link and waited 5 minutes, it just said "buffering" the whole time. 

Cheryl very nice WM shay. Jeff 

It soumds like you are momentarily loosing ground. If after replaclng or adjusting the track you still have a problem, I would check your engine grounds.

Bill

Will this cause the engine to struggle going through switches.  It stops consistently on a FasTrack O36 switch in the same spot.  It does not shut down, lights and sound continue to function.  Scrolling up the speed and it will continue on.

 If this is just the Shay, the problem may be the Shay R2LC.

It is just the Shay, how does one check this board for trouble.

Thanks guys.

  Check the wires that go to ground on the trucks. Also check if any wheels are lifting.

Bill

Bill,

Grounds check out ok.  Ended up turning the front pickup around and that solved the problem.  Apparently the spacing on the switches was just so that it cause the engine to stop but not shut down.  Now it runs through the switches either way, no problem.

Thanks again for your help.

Thanks for the tip gentlemen, will keep it in mind. 

I observed carefully where the rollers were when the engine stopped (which is what prompted me to turn the roller) and noticed one landing on the plastic parts of the switch.  Not enough to kill power, but apparently enough to interrupt the TMCC signal.

I did seemingly have a switch with intermittent power passing through it.  I opened it up and did not notice any problems with the joints as you pointed out.  I ended up putting power drops on either side of it and that solve the problem.

None of the track is permanently fastened as yet so I could, in the future, do the modifications you suggest.  Right now, I need to get it running to host the D3R guys in May! 

Thanks again.