Hey everyone! I was running my new Santa Fe DCC Equiped locomotive by Bachmann really slowly, and then, all of a sudden, it stopped, switched to reverse, backed up pretty fast, stopped, then continued its slow speed forward. I haven't done anything to the engine, and I am using the Bachmann E-Z Command Control system. Does the Santa Fe just move backwards to avoid getting stuck? Or is it a factory problem? :'(
Thanks,
lilwaffleboy
Oh my god, oh my god!- just kidding.
I would call the service department. I does sound like a factory error. By the way, is it making any noises? And is your track A-OK?
It makes sound when it is moving, but is silent when it stops. The track is fine because I have an Acela Express running on the same track, and it works fine. I feel so unlucky because of the problems with my acela express dummy with one set of wheels not turning, and now this. By the way, the Santa Fe goes regular speed, then slows down, then speeds up again constatly. >:( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Quote from: lilwaffleboy on June 20, 2008, 06:27:33 PM
It makes sound when it is moving, but is silent when it stops. The track is fine because I have an Acela Express running on the same track, and it works fine. I feel so unlucky because of the problems with my acela express dummy with one set of wheels not turning, and now this. By the way, the Santa Fe goes regular speed, then slows down, then speeds up again constantly. >:( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
DEAD SPOTS!!!!
I hate those, I thought it might be, but I decided not to. Make sure every last piece of track is perfectly together and in-line, clean your track, and engine wheels, replace pieces over 20yrs old, and increase throttle in the places it dies.
This is posible because some Bachmann locomotives' engines are more sensitive then others on the track. That is all.
I dont think it is dead spots because I got all of my track and trains about 5 days ago, and the problem started from the very first run.
Quote from: lilwaffleboy on June 20, 2008, 06:48:21 PM
I dont think it is dead spots because I got all of my track and trains about 5 days ago, and the problem started from the very first run.
Is your track nailed down?
It is the E-Z Track System, and it is on carpet.
I don't think this has much to do with dead track or type of track. IIRC we had a case at our club, that whenever a certain loco (I think it was an Atlas S2) hit a section of rail, that may have been slightly dirt, but none-the-less, caused the power to stop flowing to the decoder momentarily and sent the locomotive careening backwards. I think it may have been a problem with how the CV's were set up, but you may want to wait for Hunt's reply.
Thank You! I will cleen my tracks and see if the problem is solved. ;D
Quote from: Guilford Guy on June 20, 2008, 11:54:06 PM
I don't think this has much to do with dead track or type of track. IIRC we had a case at our club, that whenever a certain loco (I think it was an Atlas S2) hit a section of rail, that may have been slightly dirt, but none-the-less, caused the power to stop flowing to the decoder momentarily and sent the locomotive careening backwards. I think it may have been a problem with how the CV's were set up, but you may want to wait for Hunt's reply.
Same thing happened to my 44 tonner before the decoder gave out. It was hard to do much switching without breaking a coupler...
Quote from: lilwaffleboy on June 20, 2008, 06:48:21 PM
I dont think it is dead spots because I got all of my track and trains about 5 days ago, and the problem started from the very first run.
Even 'new' track (and wheels) will have some oxidation on it- you don't know how long it had been sitting on a shelf before getting to you.
Sorry, meant to reply yesterday, the website was giving me that session error sign again. Anyway, if it's on the carpet, try slightly pushing and pulling and bending the turns during the locomotive's run. Sometimes my F40PH stops dead, I knock a turn around and it fires back up. But do this not to disconnect and to not bend the connecters.
Thanks for all of the replies! I am very busy today, but I will clean the trains and track as soon as I get home.
Quote from: lilwaffleboy on June 20, 2008, 08:39:27 PM
It is the E-Z Track System, and it is on carpet.
CLEAN THE TRACK!!!
You can use a Walthers Brite Boy track eraser or the equivalent, or rail cleaning fluid. Another good thing to clean track with is white vinegar.
and 70 or 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.
I think your train is possessed.
Just kidding. Oil the engine and clean the track with that Lionel Cleaner. You'll be amazed at what that track eraser can do.
are there any track cleaning cars I can buy? I see them on model train layouts where the engine just pulls the track cleaning car around and WALAH! Clean!
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/226-CMXHO
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/116-10003
First you will need a shaman, some holy water, book of the dead....
Kidding. I don't have a DCC system but my whole layout is ez-track. If the track is not connected all the way my locos do the same. Also, check to make sure that the track is connected in the rail joiners. If they are not the n reconnect them. One other thing, look at you layout to make sure you don't have a reverse section. When your train hits this it will definately act up.
Thanks! This has solved my engine problem! Now I need to worry about keeping the track clean. I do not want to walk around my track with an eraser. Do you know where I can buy a cheap (around $20 or less) track cleaning car so that I can just attach it to a locomotive and let the car do the rest? ;D
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/116-10003
Follow the directions and attach that beneath a 50ft boxcar. One the best, and cheapest track cleaners. I know another forum member makes a great track cleaner but it is only sold on ebay, and I can't find any at the moment.
GG's find on Walther's is John Allen's old track cleaner turned into a kit. Great idea! IHC makes a caboose track cleaning car. It's main problem is that being plastic, many solvents work on the car's body. There is a new company that makes a track cleaner from a Bowser 70T covered hopper. Check Walther's for "track cleaning cars."
Gene
Thanks, but they are all expensive. I don't have a 50 or 40 foot boxcar right now. I only have a Santa Fe, and an Acela Express. Is there a cheap track cleaning car out there for about $15?
A Boxcar costs 10$, and the John Allen track cleaner kit costs 7$. Most cheap track cleaners don't work very well.
oh. ok. What track cleaners would you reccomend for me, a guy on a budget?
John Allen's track cleaner uses abrasion, not a cleaner. I THINK the J A track cleaner kit at Walther's is $4.95. You can probably still find a Blue Box Athearn boxcar for less than $10.
Gene
Had the exact thing happening here. Clean the track Clean the engine wheels and use 2 drops of Wahl Hair clipper oil on the track. All my engines run smooth and steady since I started dong this.
HAGD
ok. thx.
Oh, and if your locomotive has trouble, any kind related to the track being dirty, what I did is put the track cleaning car in front of the locomotive.