Lionel train problem | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum

I have a legacy diesel SD-70 ACe  New Haven diesel locomotive that stops at a certain point in my track every time it passes that particular point.  My other trains do not stop. I checked the voltage on the track and it is ok; and I cleaned the track.

I tested that area with 5 or 6 other trains and there is no problem; they run freely.

Does anyone know what could be the problem?

 

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Check for continuity between the rollers with an ohmmeter. If they are OK, move on to the next experiment:

 

Measure the exact center-to-center distance between the rollers, then position the loco at the exact spot that it loses power. Make marks on the center rail and use a ruler to see if there's a relationship between the marks and the roller dimension.

 

If all is well, there may be a running rail problem, where an outside rail is losing continuity.  A meter and a test lamp will help find it.

depending how close the bridge is to the problem area and its its a lot of metal you will want to connect the metal in the bridge to a earth ground. It could be causes enough interference that the engine is loosing signal. Also make sure the track is not touching the metal of the bridge.

As for the engine see if the contacts are finding a dead spot. Maybe remove the shell and see of the antenna wires have come loose

 

Does the head light flash or does the engine lose power? Headlight flash indicates TMCC signal problem. Dead engine indicates power issue

Originally Posted by cbojanower:

depending how close the bridge is to the problem area and its its a lot of metal you will want to connect the metal in the bridge to a earth ground. It could be causes enough interference that the engine is loosing signal. Also make sure the track is not touching the metal of the bridge.

As for the engine see if the contacts are finding a dead spot. Maybe remove the shell and see of the antenna wires have come loose

 

Does the head light flash or does the engine lose power? Headlight flash indicates TMCC signal problem. Dead engine indicates power issue

 

Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by cbojanower:

depending how close the bridge is to the problem area and its its a lot of metal you will want to connect the metal in the bridge to a earth ground. It could be causes enough interference that the engine is loosing signal. Also make sure the track is not touching the metal of the bridge.

As for the engine see if the contacts are finding a dead spot. Maybe remove the shell and see of the antenna wires have come loose

 

Does the head light flash or does the engine lose power? Headlight flash indicates TMCC signal problem. Dead engine indicates power issue

 

 

Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by cbojanower:

depending how close the bridge is to the problem area and its its a lot of metal you will want to connect the metal in the bridge to a earth ground. It could be causes enough interference that the engine is loosing signal. Also make sure the track is not touching the metal of the bridge.

As for the engine see if the contacts are finding a dead spot. Maybe remove the shell and see of the antenna wires have come loose

 

Does the head light flash or does the engine lose power? Headlight flash indicates TMCC signal problem. Dead engine indicates power issue

 

 

the headlight does flash when it stops at that point

Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by trainrat:
Originally Posted by cbojanower:

depending how close the bridge is to the problem area and its its a lot of metal you will want to connect the metal in the bridge to a earth ground. It could be causes enough interference that the engine is loosing signal. Also make sure the track is not touching the metal of the bridge.

As for the engine see if the contacts are finding a dead spot. Maybe remove the shell and see of the antenna wires have come loose

 

Does the head light flash or does the engine lose power? Headlight flash indicates TMCC signal problem. Dead engine indicates power issue

 

 

the headlight does flash when it stops at that point

In addition, the engine still runs, but I have to rev it up to get it going again. But despite this, all my lighted cars go past that point and do not flicker

Headlight flashing indicates TMCC problem. I would try laying a grounded extension cord near your track where the issue lies. (plug it in) See if the train can pass that area. Also try running a ground wire from the metal part of the bascule bridge and wire it to the ground jack of an outlet (do not allow power to be plugged in)

 

Good luck

Last edited by cbojanower
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