I might have found the problem.  I checked into what James said about the points and sure enough, it is just ever so slightly moving away from the rail.  I tried holding it in place with my finger and they all ran fine thru the switch.  It looks like the piece that actually throws the switch is old and worn, a little too flexible.  I need one that is firmer and will hold the connection together.  Oh well, back to the hobby shop. 

Thank you all for the help.  I was hoping it wasn't a problem with another Bachmann product.  The last Bachmann steam engine bought had to be returned for a new one.

Thanks again!

Ok, it's definitly not the frog then.

It's the part of the switch that actually moves or pivots.  I noticed the smaller engines are stopping right where the 2 rivits are and the small gap where that part of the switch moves.  I put a small screwdriver in that gap and the engine took off.  I'm starting to guess it's the connection under the rivits that is bad.  I'm not sure how to get this off since it's pretty well part of the layout.

I'm currently trying to run a Bachmann Thomas and Percy engines, and the Gandy Dancer as more of a test piece.  The diesels that I have been trying are a Bachmann Union Pacific GP-38 and others like it.  The power pack is made by Model Power and was fairly inexpensive, around $15.00 at Hobby Lobby.  But I don't think the power supply has anything to do with it since other engines like the GP-38 work fine at slow speeds. 

The track is brass, I don't know why I couldn't think of that, but the part that moves is metal and that is where the dead spot is and it does have what look like rivits holding them in place and allowing them to move.  I'm guessing from pictures that I have seen that the "frog" is the part where the switch actually Y's off.  There are no loose spots on the track, this thing was put together very sturdy.  I have tried cleaning all of the metal areas on the switches also.  I also don't know what brand they are also.

I have an Ohm Meter somewhere (I think).

THANKS!

Hello all!

I have a small layout with 2 switches that make an inner loop and have discovered that there are dead spots in the switches.  Anyone know what might be causing this?  I have cleaned the track with a Bright Boy until they shine real nice.  The trains will go thru them if I run them fast enough but I want slower speeds.  I have a few engines that will run smoothly across the switches, even at slower speeds, but there are others that I have problems with.  I narrowed down the dead spots with my Gandy Dancer and they are both on the same spot, right as the wheels hit the part of the switch that moves.

Also, this layout is one that I got at a garage sale that is already fully wired up.  The only down side to the track is that it is the older style "gold" colored track.

ANy help will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

Ok, one more update.  I seem to have a "dead" spot in the middle of my switches.  I tried running my Gandy Dancer on it and since the wheels are so close, I can see where it is stopping and where the "zone" is.  Anyone know what might be causing these dead spots?

Thanks again!

I just tried my Thomas from the set that has Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, Bertie, Harold and Sir Topham Hat and he is doing the same thing, slowing down and stopping while trying to go thru the switches.

THANKS!

Would anyone know why my HO scale Percy wants to slow down and even stop at slow speeds at a switch/turnout?  I just opened him up today and he is brand new.  My other diesles that I have run smoothly thru them and I have yet to try the Thomas that I got also.  I also cleaned my track and Percys wheels with a Bright Boy.  My layout is a small 3x4 with the switches/turnouts making an inner loop, if it's called that.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

Ok, will try that.  The track and engine are both brand new.  The track is also Kato.  One more thing I forgot to mention, the diesel engines that I have run very smoothly, even at slow speeds.  This is the only engine I have problems with.

Thanks again!

Hello all!

I'm brand new to this site and just getting back into model railroading since I was a kid for my boys (ok, and for me too) 

Anyway, I went and bought a Bachmann PRAIRIE 2-6-2 w/ full size tender and am having a problem with it.  It will not run smoothly at all.  I try to do the break in period like the instructions say but the only way I can get it to run is to have it at almost full speed and they say not to run it that fast during the break in period.  When I do run it slow, it studders frequently and stops.  This is also being run without it pulling anything.  All this engine will be pulling are 2 passenger coaches.

What should I do?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you kindly!