990 legacy

dc model rrOGR Forum Member

i started back into model rr 5 years ago thought i knew something how times have changed trying to keep up with the times i purchased a lionel 990 legacy what a change i dont have to use my 5 zws throttles to control my trains i use them to power up my tracks GREAT my attic is the perfect place for what i want to do so i start building my lay out cant build out any more so lets build up im seeing a problem as im going along and talk to the best engine lights flickering stop put my hand over them they move HALO EFFECT tracks over top of tracks the engine gets confused what signal have i got now we all know the ground wire plays an important part now i have all 5 zws plus the 990 legacy plug into the same outlet took away 90% of my problem the other 10% i take all suggestion 8 gauge wire run it along the tracks use the screw on the electrical outlet to get an earth ground wow that worked good to go i thought 1/30/17 my birthday day lets go 1 more level enjoyed the whole day just finished wirering what happens all havoc broke lose engines start that flicker wont move why ? i wanted to go 1 more level up now im ready to scrap all of this and start all over again here are some photos of what im trying to do please help me i know some how some where some one else has had this problem cant give up ive gone to far kirk 202 277 4578 excuse the mess im still under construction

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3/4/171:11 AM

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MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Hi Kirk,

Very cool! Reminds me of a layout done by a gentleman in the San Francisco area, circa 1912, with a now famous Carlisle & Finch train and track.

Anyway, Did you have an electrician install the receptacle box near the transformer? If yes, then the box is earth grounded. This is what you need.

A very small wire under each elevated track roadbed connected to that electrical box will solve the issue.

The skinny is the TMCC/Legacy signal is radiating from all of the tracks and confusing the engine with too many signals.

There is a lot information and a video or two if you would like to educate yourself on the TMCC signal, but I think at this point, I think you want to know what time it is (just run trains) and not how to build a watch.

Oops, I just now read that you tried that. That wire needs to be under each level, including the new level.

I zoomed on your first photo. Do you have the Legacy base wire connected to the common (U) terminal of the transformer?

Do you have the common (U) wire jumpered to both outside rails on each loop?

3/4/177:11 AM

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RickOOGR Forum Member

The multitudes of parallel tracks as well as overhead tracks are the perfect recipe for a "ground plane issue".

This video by Mike Reagan does a nice job of explaining the problem and solution:

3/4/174:16 PM

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dc model rrOGR Forum Member

LIKE I SAID I TALKED TO THE BEST I JUST GOT FRUSTRATED THANX MOONMAN FOR BRINGING ME BACK TO EARTH GROUND ILL RUN SOME MORE THOUGHT I HAD IT SOLVED AND THANX RICKO FOR THE MIKE REAGAN VIDEO IVE SEEN IT BEFORE FRENCH TO ME AT FIRST I TOOK SPANISH IN SCHOOL IT SURE MAKES MORE SENSE TO ME NOW I MET MIKE REAGAN A FEW YEARS AGO IN CONCORD GAVE ME GOOD ADVICE ON MY COAL TIPPLE RUMOR IS HE LEFT LIONEL IS THAT TRUE? THANK BOTH OF YOU AGAIN ILL START MY 7TH AND LAST LEVEL WE KNOW HOW THAT GOES I DONT KNOW MUCH BUT IM LEARNING ANY THING I CAN DO TO HELP LET ME KNOW YOU SURE KEPT ME MOVING ON KIRK

3/5/1712:54 AM

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MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Kirk,

Your trains are so cool! They took the video down from YouTube about the layout in Alameda, CA. You have one upped his layout, by putting elevated levels in.

Here's one the trains and tracks saved from the layout. The gentleman's name was Elbridge Russell. A reporter happened to meet him and they became friends.

Keep us posted on your results of solving the signal issues.

3/5/179:31 AM

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