Train Will Start up, Wont Run, Help....

When I had that problem with DCS, I simply needed to clean the track and rollers.

Timothy-

 

From a preliminary standpoint it could be something as simple as a pinched or loose wire (causing loss of signal), but to be more accurate can you provide the catalog number of the locomotive in question?

 

Happy New Year!

 

-John

- John

 

There are two legacy locomotives I have doing the same thing one of which is (6-31783) Lionel's Ice cold express, and the other is Lionel GP-9 

(6-28599)

Let me make it know that those two locomotives are the only two that I have tried. 

Timothy-

 

Since the problem is occurring on two separately controlled TMCC/Legacy items, the issue appears to be external to the locomotives. I'd start with Dave's recommendations first - check the track to ensure it is clean and there are no electrical dead spots. Also ensure the TMCC/Legacy base is properly connected to the ground or "U" post on the transformer so that we can rule out any setup problems.

 

-John

Ok after reading this I again I think I understand what your saying .. 1st the ground off your 180 watt brick has to be grounded with the ground on the legacy base and outside rails of the track are the ground.. It's easy to know the plus side of the 180 watt brick it's the side with the white lettering on it. Now if that's all good next make sure the brick and the legacy base are plugged into a grounded outlet .. The outlet has to have a ground wire grounded to it and the fuse box ..  Now if all this is correct we will move to something else. From how I am reading what you wrote  you power  the engines up they start up and after you move them they go dead or do they become not responsive? I have also had this issiue with track that doesn't make good connections (gargraves). I hope I helped you. ..

Tim, it sounds like a similar thing that happens to me.  Check your "Train Brake" slider on the left side of the CAB-2 remote to make sure it is NOT down all the way to the + symbol.  Another words, if train brake is on the engines won't move. 

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

I went to check out some of the solutions you guys gave me today. Nothing seems to work... I got rid of the 180 watt brick and the legacy remote and then tried it conventionally and the same thing happens

OK, you've proven that the PH180 or the Legacy system aren't the issue.  Next, connect your transformer to a small section of test track that is not associated with the layout and see if it works there.

 

What it sounds like to me is when you put the current draw of actually starting the motors, some connection between the transformers and the track/locomotive is high resistance and is dropping the voltage.

 

Your having track issues . What kind of track you using . I had his problem with some Gargraves that was used and the pins where not tight when you joined them.

Also, isolate the testing to the engines only. The Ice Cold Cars could have an electrical issue.

Unfortunately we haven't proven anything yet.  When you say you removed the brick, what did you replace it with?

 

If there is LHS with display track you may want to take your engines there.  They can test them.  If they work, we know it has something to do with your layout.

 

Alternative is create a test track with a straight section and your power supply. No Legacy.   Makes sure the test track has a lighted lock on or bulb so you can see that it lights.  Test your train on it.  G

On the contrary, removing the Legacy and the PH180 brick didn't cure the issue with a different transformer.  Hence, I believe we're pretty much eliminated them as this particular issue.

 

I already suggested to separate test track with the transformer, but we've gotten no feedback on whether that worked.

 

In any case, the symptoms sure suggest a poor connection somewhere between the transformer and the locomotive, be it the wiring or the track pins.

 

-Gunrunnerjohn

 

I thank you after reading and trying your method of trying out a seperate length of track with the transformer. It work and I foolishly discovered that there was a build up of the rails that I didnt see before that was causing the disruption.

 

Let this be a lesson to everyone that you need to clean your track often.

 

Thanks everyone!!!!

Glad it was an easy fix.

Not to nit pick you, but since you were in the industry.  You stated that "that proves it isn't the Brick or Legacy".  You can have a double failure, so until he ran a train on this legacy and Brick, he really didn't "prove" anything.

 

Yes it was likely his train or track, and now he proved it was his track.

 

Glad it was simple issue.  G

Well, you are nit picking, and needlessly IMO.   Also, to assume you had a double failure is way out there in probability, so you're also on thin ice.

 

He proved the existing issue wasn't the two components, as the issue was still there.  I don't know anyone that does this for any length of time that would still suspect one of the removed components when the exact same problem remains.  Could those components still have some sort of an issue?  Sure, but what's the chances of that?

 

 

 

John, I was only commenting on the use of PROVE.  Clearly nothing was proved at that point.  Yes we have seen 2 things done wrong and trying to isolate that is difficult.  That is why we shift to conventional to get the Command System out of the loop.  Then we would shift to a different power supply.

 

You would never go to management and absolutely confirm it wasn't the power supply or Legacy when you never had them actually run a train, would you?  G

I guess you have to be right, whether you are or not.  Feel free to have the last word.

I think this thread PROVEs its a good idea to start with the easy stuff first, i.e. cleaning the track , which Dave suggested in the first response to the start of the topic.

 

 

even though the thread was highjacked.

 

at the club everyone is instructed to clean the track EVERY time they run.

 

and when someone calls with an issue the first question asked is "did you clean the track?"

Even says it at the bottom of every page in the Legacy Manual. 

I think he did, but missed a section.