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Over the last couple of weeks a major issue has developed on the layout that pretty much is making it unusable.
I have been having problems with locomotives surging at various locations throughout the layout. This is happening in both DCC and DC. This started after I began working on the siding for the Golden Valley Canning Company.
The layout is divided into four power districts/sections. This issue is happening in all four districts.
I have tried numerous things.
Cleaned the track several times.
Replaced a couple of suspect pieces of track.
Removed the fuse circuit.
Nothing has helped and I am at my wits end.
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Disconnect the power from the new section and see if that helps
It may be something there that's causing the issue
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Make sure all power districts are in phase (same wire to the same rail. Also make sure the switch to the new siding is not shorting.
Charlie
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(03-16-2025, 05:20 AM)Charlie B Wrote: Make sure all power districts are in phase (same wire to the same rail. Also make sure the switch to the new siding is not shorting.
Charlie
That's what I was thinking, something's not right with the new section.
Now that I'm thinking some more.....
Tom:
try running trains and moving any switches you have on the new section.
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The siding and switch have been in place for a long time. They have been held in place with track nails. The only thing I did was tack the roadbed and track down.
I did check and actually rewired the power leads to each district.
I am now beginning to suspect it may be the locomotives themselves. However, that would mean the last four locomotives, 2 DC, 2DCC that are new are having issues out of the box. I did not think my luck could be that bad. I am going to pull out the last set of locos that ran well and test them and see what happens.
Thinking some more I will disconnect the siding just to make sure nothing is wrong with it.
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my suggestion is this go over the recently fastened down section with a 10x magnifier I had an issue similar that was caused by i hunk of metal (track nail) under the section.
Jim
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Jim
I will look. I did use extra track nails to temporary hold the roadbed in place since it was on a curve.
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(03-16-2025, 02:43 PM)jim currie Wrote: my suggestion is this go over the recently fastened down section with a 10x magnifier I had an issue similar that was caused by i hunk of metal (track nail) under the section.
Jim
Ooooooooooo Great idea!!!! I had that happen in a switch!!!!
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Checked the track and found no loose nails or other debris found under any of the track.
I am beginning to suspect the locos themselves. I pulled out my Athearn Genesis GP7's and ran them. They had no problems. The locos giving me problems are Walther's Proto F7A and F7B. They are DCC/Sound.
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(03-17-2025, 04:33 PM)tompm Wrote: Checked the track and found no loose nails or other debris found under any of the track.
I am beginning to suspect the locos themselves. I pulled out my Athearn Genesis GP7's and ran them. They had no problems. The locos giving me problems are Walther's Proto F7A and F7B. They are DCC/Sound.
Can you swap out the decoder in those locomotives with a known good one?
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Is it always the same place(s) or similar places? Drop a marker where the problem is, and see if you accumulate a lot together.
David
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(03-17-2025, 05:58 PM)nachoman Wrote: Can you swap out the decoder in those locomotives with a known good one?
If I have a decoder that will fit. I have to check my supply. I do not have any sound decoders.
(03-17-2025, 06:24 PM)BR60103 Wrote: Is it always the same place(s) or similar places? Drop a marker where the problem is, and see if you accumulate a lot together.
Sounds like a good idea.
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my other suggestion would be to tale a machinist Stright edge with a light off to the side to see if there is a slight ripple in the rail.
Jim
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(03-17-2025, 07:16 PM)tompm Wrote: (03-17-2025, 05:58 PM)nachoman Wrote: Can you swap out the decoder in those locomotives with a known good one?
If I have a decoder that will fit. I have to check my supply. I do not have any sound decoders.
(03-17-2025, 06:24 PM)BR60103 Wrote: Is it always the same place(s) or similar places? Drop a marker where the problem is, and see if you accumulate a lot together.
Sounds like a good idea.
Try factory reset of decoders first. CV 8 I think
