Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: Chuck S on February 27, 2009, 12:39:04 AM

Title: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Chuck S on February 27, 2009, 12:39:04 AM
My brand new GS4 4-8-4 SP Daylight locomotive (DCC equiped) ran fine for about 20 minutes.  I was very impressed with its ability to start at a crawl.  Anyway, the loco started to stall whenever it would exit a curve.  At slower speeds it would stop totally.  At higher speeds, the loco would clear the curve and resume travel.  I did not notice any flickering lights.  The lights would remain on when the loco was completely stopped.  I then ran the loco in reverse with no problems. 

I am using DC.  Before I ran the loco I removed the decoder and installed the dummy plugs.  My EZ track is brand new as well.  Anyone have any similar problems?

Thanks in advance,

Chuck S
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: SteamGene on February 27, 2009, 08:37:29 AM
What is the curve radius?
Gene
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Tylerf on February 27, 2009, 11:06:13 AM
I have the older model with dcc installed in it, the loco runs very well on straight but slows, details, and just runs poorly on any curve tighter than 42 degrees
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Chuck S on February 27, 2009, 11:43:16 AM
Quote from: SteamGene on February 27, 2009, 08:37:29 AM
What is the curve radius?
Gene

Hi Gene,

22 degree. 

Thanks,

Chuck S
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Chuck S on February 27, 2009, 11:49:56 AM
Quote from: Tylerf on February 27, 2009, 11:06:13 AM
I have the older model with dcc installed in it, the loco runs very well on straight but slows, details, and just runs poorly on any curve tighter than 42 degrees

Hello,

So far I have not have any derailments.  I was actually suprised at how well the loco performed on the curved sections at a higher than prototype speed (breaking in the new engine). 

I have an old HO Lionel GS4 4-8-4 Daylight made in approx 1975 (no dcc).  It performswell around the curves, but doesn't have the pulling power (It is 34 years old after all).

Thanks,

Chuck S
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: grumpy on February 28, 2009, 12:32:56 AM
I would check the leading and trailing trucks to make sure they are tracking properly.

Don
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Chuck S on February 28, 2009, 09:24:33 AM
Hi Don,

I watched all the wheels, including tender, to make sure they stayed on the track.  I did not notice anything out of the ordinary(wheels stayed on track, no lifting or shifting of wheels).  I used an oval setup for initial break-in of the engine so it was easy to watch the loco.

I will be visiting some out-of-own hobby shops this morning but I will retry the loco this afternoon.  My guess is that the dummy plug(s) or an internal wire may be loose.

Thanks everyone,

Chuck S
Title: Re: GS4 4-8-4 Loco stalls exiting curve
Post by: Chuck S on March 01, 2009, 02:13:02 AM
All,

Everything is alright.  There were no stalls whatsoever tonight.  I ran the loco for three hours solid and not one single problem.  My best guess here is that the DCC plugs may have been loose.

Thanks everyone,

Chuck S