TMCC Losing Connection to Engine

sounds like a ground plane issue.  low batteries in the cab will not be the issue.

Why do you think it is jsut this one engine? I have the tracks grounded about every 3 to 4 feet plus every turnout. I will make sure the ground to my household electrical is complete and let you know.

Thank you.

I 2nd the internal antenna connection.  Check that.  I can imagine an 0-6-0 bouncing across a fastrack switch and giving you problems.  Those switches are like crossing the Rocky Mountains.  Good luck.

Ground plane is different from the track being grounded. Go over to the TMCC forum. There is a wealth of information on it.

Jim D.

For the whistle to blow, it sounds more like an EOB engine with a sensor mis-read.  This may not be signal related at all, but a sensor that needs adjustment?

Which sensor is that Jon?  The only sensor I'm aware of is on the flywheel.  I have a couple of EOB locomotives, never too late to learn something new.

I can see there are three courses of action:

1. Grounding Plane - I will study up on how to do this correctly.
2. Antenna inside Engine - I will look for this. I am not sure where it is but I can find out
3. Sensors - I will try the other two and keep my fingers crossed. If the other two don't resolve the problem, this one seems it has to go back to Atlas.

Morale of the story: The complexity of today's equipment can divert focus away from just running trains................

Thank you one and all for your observations and advice.

Flywheel sensor is correct.  I remember the EOB inventor running a loco at our club and he explained (to me) how the sensor was monitored for pulses, and if the pulses were lost the firmware would stop the loco and blow the horn/whistle.

Interesting Jon, thanks for the info.  That sounds like the symptoms he's seeing.  It's odd that it only happens in one place...

RusstheRed:

"but I have an Atlas USAR 0-6-0 that loses connection at various points on my layout"

Gunrunnerjohn:

That sounds like the symptoms he's seeing.  It's odd that it only happens in one place...

It appears random to me for his original description, although prevalent in curves.  This is still indicating the EOB flywheel sensor to me.  The givaway is the whistle blast.  When a TMCC loco loses signal, it does not blow the whistle.  EOB does blow the whistle when the sensor drops out.  What else could blow the whistle, nothing in the stock Lionel TMCC portions of the loco.

In closer reading, it appears you're right, it "happens mostly on curves".  I guess that could happen.  I assumed "set of curves" indicated one place, but probably not.

I believe you Guys have identified the problem in the flywheel sensor. How do I resolve the problem? Can I make adjustments in the EOB software and resolve the problem or is it something I need to have Atlas resolve?

You Guys have been extremely helpful, thank you.

Try cleaning the flywheel and sensor.  Start with just a soft brush on sensor, and lint free cloth on the flywheel.  They can pick up dust.   G

You Guys are great! I am going to download the installation instructions and then give it a try. I will let you know how it goes. Everyone keep their fingers crossed.

Let us know how you make out.  I have several EOB locomotives, and I had to rebuild one of the boards, I had a short and it smoked traces and all the drivers!  I was able to rescue it, didn't feel like paying the money to convert to ERR TMCC.

FWIW, I just tested it here and I had no problem opening the link directly, so I suspect it's a browser configuration issue with your end.  No matter, you have the manual, that's what counts.