i have a mth PS3 steam turbine that wants to stall on 2 switches and is the only engine that does it I tried cleaning the switches and the rollers on the train and also oiled the roller still does it. On the one switch it just does it a little and on the other it stops and shuts down when I put a meter on the switch it has power. I have a total of 7 switches and it only happens on 2 of them.but all other engins work.what can I check that I haven't yet.
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Check all the center 'rollers' on the engine to insure a wire didn't break.
Put her on her back and put the hot wire to each roller while grounding the other wire to the frame.
Also when running the opposite direction on same switches there is no problem crazy!,,,,
It sounds like the pickup roller spacing and the gaps in these two switches are the problem. When it stops check to see where the pickup rollers are in relation to the gaps. Are both the switches longer ones like #5's 0r #7's?
Art
They are both 022 lionel switches postwar
They are both 022 lionel switches postwar
Check for power at the center rails of the switches with a Voltmeter or even a test lamp. If you have power there, it narrows down the problem to the engine
Traction tires?? your engine is losing contact with an outside rail. The fix... ?? not sure
Also when running the opposite direction on same switches there is no problem crazy!,,,,
That is usually a sign of outer rail connection loss since the pick-up rollers are a fixed distance apart. Would gladly have traded metal wheels for the rubber tire debacle...
Built a small layout to give to some children, their parents called and said the locomotives stopped occasionally. When I got over there to test, it was the loss of common on switchs. Had them only run one direction and "poof, the issues disappeared" so I purchased larger locos for them to have the next year.
I am going to try cleaning all wheels and see what happens
I have the very same problem with a few of my MTH engines (I use 027 switches).These switches are wired for fixed voltage. I always suspected it had something to do with a pulse from the anti-derail system. In any case, I solved the problem by putting in knife switches that cut the power to the switches. I cut the switch when running those engines and the problem disappeared. My Premier SD40 and RK SD70 ACE among others.
Roger
Cleaning might help . I would try running the engine to the point were it stalls. Cut track power, lift one side of the engine carefully and take a peek to see where the non traction tired wheels are. Are they making contact to the metal rail.Try lifting the other side. . While you have the engine tipped check out the center rail rollers as well. Seems you are using Lionel tube track so the outside rail are automatically joined together unless you have insulated an outside rail. I, m guessing these switches have the non derailing feature.
Does the engine still stall with cars attached?
Cleaning might help . I would try running the engine to the point were it stalls. Cut track power, lift one side of the engine carefully and take a peek to see where the non traction tired wheels are. Are they making contact to the metal rail.Try lifting the other side. . While you have the engine tipped check out the center rail rollers as well. Seems you are using Lionel tube track so the outside rail are automatically joined together unless you have insulated an outside rail. I, m guessing these switches have the non derailing feature.
Does the engine still stall with cars attached?
I cleaned the wheels and also switched the rollers with each other. so I put the train back on the track put it too a crawl and it studder just a little bit on one switch so I am thinking it's the dirty wheel. I did look under the train when it stopped on the track and the front pickup roller was on the plastic portion of the track but the back one was on metal so that should be fine. Looked under hood all wires look fine. So I will clean all the track and wheels and see if it works better.
Are you running conventional or DCS or TMCC/Legacy? Also, I have that same engine and it's REALLY long. Are you using the long tether bar that came with it?
Jeff,
Is this a P2 Engine or a Legacy engine. Are you trying to run this engine in Conventional from the TR mode, or from the (Engine) mode via P2, narrow the actual control and engine ident down please. It almost sounds like a long P2 engine, being run in remote control Via DCS hand held remote, that has a low battery, unable to keep the engine activated wile going over the 022 switch, if so replace the battery with a BCR. Give me a little more information Jeff, I might be able to help you further.
Pine reek if you read in my post first line mth PS3
Jeff,
Sorry I read right thru that and missed the P3, at any rate is the P3 engine actually stalling completely out, or is the big engine binding slightly as it goes thru the 022's and loosing traction. Is this P3 engine rated for 022 switches? If I remember correctly this is a 036 min engine, that takes 048 switches in reality for constant running. Probably runs perfect with 072 switches. You maybe trying to use an engine that is not engineered for the switches you have on your layout, it may go thru some but have trouble with others, because the switches are actually under sized for the engine. Jeff in order for you to fully eliminate your running problems, you probably need to go to bigger switches, I eventually ran all 711/072 Lionel switches because of my Tin Plate Engines/Tenders and my bigger conventional & P2 Engines.
PCRR/Dave
Some the old 711/072 Lionel Conventional Switches with FasTrack, all the different trains worked perfect with them.
Ok, so that certainly means you have good volts available. Although I have not had trouble with my own S2, I have another engine that has done what you describe where it is good in one direction and stalls in the opposite direction. Are there voltage drops close to all of the legs of the switch?
Gentlemen,
I do believe you are going to find the engine is not actually rated for those 022 switches. Look at the rating on the engine box.
PCRR/Dave
Actually it is rated for 031 turnes and it is doing it now only 1 switch it's doing this on the straight away any way. it's doing now when it is under 12 on dcs remote . Only after I cleaned track and wheels really good .
I also notice one of the pickup rollers seem a little rough when trying to roll it I am wondering with pressure from track it doesn't roll but slides along. If that might have anything to do with it.
I also notice one of the pickup rollers seem a little rough when trying to roll it I am wondering with pressure from track it doesn't roll but slides along. If that might have anything to do with it.
I doubt it and there might be a sparking, but ya never know. You should get it fixed though. I give my rollers a spin with a wire brush in a dremel (only when problems arise) and lube the center pin that goes through the roller.
One other thing I wanted to mention..... Are both rollers picking up power? ..here's an easy test ., Place a piece of electrical tape on the center rail about 2 " long. Park the engine with one set of rollers on the tape, The other set of rollers should power up the engine..... reverse rollers. Hey You're almost there.
I also notice one of the pickup rollers seem a little rough when trying to roll it I am wondering with pressure from track it doesn't roll but slides along. If that might have anything to do with it.
Have you got a second set of rollers from another engine. I have had good luck swapping the small diameter rollers that can run rough with larger diameter rollers.
I took the troubled switch out and put another switch in and there is no problem now. There must of been something wrong with the switch I can run the train at a crawl and no hesitation . Thanks all for the help.
Jeff,
If you got a long engine rated for 031 to run constantly on 022 switches, you did a great job, especially that particular engine. I thought all those engines were rated 036 and above, glad yours is an 031. Keep an eye on your 022 switches as you run this particular engine, if you have more problems let me know, I still have about 6 or 8 of the originals in the attic, they were working perfectly when taken off the layouts.
PCRR/Dave
Jeff,
Real nice new P3 engine for sure, glad everything is working out for you now.
PCRR/Dave
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