04-01-2009, 11:17 AM
Been there...felt that pain. Track problems are more than an annoyance.
I'd check (based on similar experiences) the following:
1. Every rail joiner for proper contact to the rails.
2. Any metal spurs that might derail a wheel should be filed away.
3. Get a level and see how "level" the rails are. Could the cans have made dips or swells that affect the longer engines?
4. Are you sure every track is really getting power?
5. Is there the remotest possibility of a polarity issue?
6. Have you already weathered the rails and is there paint between the rail and rail joiner (this is the one that got me)?
7. All electrical wires are firmly tied together from the power pack to the powered rail joiners?
8. The inside of the rails (not just the rail tops) are clean enough to allow proper contact?
9. All engine wheels to gauge?
10. All tracks to gauge? No kinks, no widening between the rails?
In my limited experience on my layout, every track problem I've had where a diesel suddenly looses power has been from a bad rail joiner and painted track. Almost all of my rail joiners open up an loosen over time. I would suggest pinning down the track into the layout board (foam or whatever you used) to hold it in place until you glue it down permanently. I've used Liquid Nails For Projects to hold my track down...and it worked really well. Maybe it's a bit too strong, but it's easy to work with, no mess, and it really holds stuff in place.
Oh...btw...I switched to Peco turnouts and think they're great. Some of the passenger cars and autoracks seem to derail over them from time to time because of the wheel flange I think. But overall, I really like the Peco's.
Hope these ideas help...plus all the other great ideas the other guys have offered up.
I'd check (based on similar experiences) the following:
1. Every rail joiner for proper contact to the rails.
2. Any metal spurs that might derail a wheel should be filed away.
3. Get a level and see how "level" the rails are. Could the cans have made dips or swells that affect the longer engines?
4. Are you sure every track is really getting power?
5. Is there the remotest possibility of a polarity issue?
6. Have you already weathered the rails and is there paint between the rail and rail joiner (this is the one that got me)?
7. All electrical wires are firmly tied together from the power pack to the powered rail joiners?
8. The inside of the rails (not just the rail tops) are clean enough to allow proper contact?
9. All engine wheels to gauge?
10. All tracks to gauge? No kinks, no widening between the rails?
In my limited experience on my layout, every track problem I've had where a diesel suddenly looses power has been from a bad rail joiner and painted track. Almost all of my rail joiners open up an loosen over time. I would suggest pinning down the track into the layout board (foam or whatever you used) to hold it in place until you glue it down permanently. I've used Liquid Nails For Projects to hold my track down...and it worked really well. Maybe it's a bit too strong, but it's easy to work with, no mess, and it really holds stuff in place.
Oh...btw...I switched to Peco turnouts and think they're great. Some of the passenger cars and autoracks seem to derail over them from time to time because of the wheel flange I think. But overall, I really like the Peco's.
Hope these ideas help...plus all the other great ideas the other guys have offered up.
Mark
Citation Latitude Captain
--and--
Lt Colonel, USAF (Retired)
Citation Latitude Captain
--and--
Lt Colonel, USAF (Retired)