Bach-man

I think that "non-rolling support" or something similar would make a lot more sense.

As it is, it is a little confusing.

Chuck

Mine are BB by a different manufacturer.  To be honest, I've never heard of stationary rollers.  I assumed that they rolled and were fixed to a perminant structure.

Chuck

So am I.  I just thought that the whole assembly was in a fixed, stationary, location, and the rollers still rolled.

They are called rollers, aren't they?

Chuck

Dale

Some people have their engines on a display shelf and run them for hours at a time.

I use the rollers to check out an engine after I have done some work on them.

Be sure to place them on the track so that each pair is oriented in a different direction.  There is power pickup on only one side, at least mine are that way.  The opposite side is insulated.

If you are running your engine via battery, it doesn't matter.

Chuck

Nana

Since you are going to use it indoors on a seasonal basis, I think that the track that was supposed to come with your set would work.  That is Bachmann steel tublar track is fine.  You will need 12 pieces of curved track and 10 pieces of straight to make up,the 14' of track you mentioned.

Since this track is not usable outdoors, there is a lot laying around.  Check EBay for Bachmann track.

Chuck

My suggestion is to think about how, where and when you will run your new train.  Will it be a perminant, indoors or outside, setup, or just a couple of weeks under the Christmas tree,

Your 14' of track would have had a circle of curved track with a diameter of 4' and 10' of straight track.  Your oval would be about 9' long and 4' wide.

This is fine for occasional running under a Christmastree, but curves that tight add significantly to the wear and tear on the engine, cars, and track.

If you can't find the track in the back of the box and have to buy some, I'd recommend a minimum curves of 5' diameter of if you have the space 8' diameter.  With larger curves your train will the look better and increase  life span of your set.

Chuck

Glad it worked out.  Keep asking questions. We try to help.  Occasionally, the help will conflict.  That is where your experience, skills, and knowledge will help you filter the answers to what will work for you.

Chuck

Your getting a different engine is an alert for anyone sending a car or engine in for repair.  It is a good idea to remove any after market additions you have put on your unit.  There is a chance you will receive a different, but similar unit.

Chuck

Chris

Aluminum track is fine for battery outdoors.  You just have to be careful and not step on it.  It bends very easily.

I think that for track power the jury is still out.  Some swear by it and others swear at it. 

My advice to beginners is to get your feet wet with analog DC power.  Get some experience and then you will be better able to make an informed decision on your future power supply, track, battery, track with DCC, or live steam. 

Chuck

Like everything in this hobby when things work properly everybody is happy.  Friday running at a meet and my battery powered radio controlled engine failed to run.  Fortunately, I had a back up and could run.  The same thing happened today, with a different engine.

I've been using track power on my home layout for 35 years and wouldn't change.  I can clean my track in a couple of minutes.  To each his own.  There are good and bad points for all power choices. 

Chuck

Sometime it gets turned around and causes problems. 

Chuck

Chris

There is supposed to be an arrow on the bottom of the front trucks, two non powered axles.  That arrow must point to the front.  Check to see if you have that arrow and what direction it is pointing.  If it is pointing to the tender, rotate it so it points front.

This could cause a short if it is pointing in the wrong direction.

Chuck

Chris

The length of your track has very little to do with the power needed.  Brass is an excellent conductor.  

The gauge and length of the wires between the power supply and the track can have an effect on the power and voltage available to the track.  If the gauge wire is too small it will add to the resistance and long leads can also have an effect.  Most recommend a gauge wire of 14 or bigger (a smaller gauge number).  Remember, the higher the number for the gauge, the smaller the diameter of the wire.

As a rule of thumb when I figure my power needs I use the following:

For each motor in an engine 1 amp (motors draw between 0.5 and 1 amp), a diesel with two motors would be 2 amps.

Smoke lights and sound may add another amp, in total, not each.  This depends on the engine and the components.  Smoke units could draw more.

Lighted cars will add to the draw. I have some lighted passenger cars.  They draw 0.5 amps per car.

For example, I have a USAT streamliner train with 6 lighted cars at 0.5 amps per car that is 3 amps.  It is pulled by two diesels with two motors each, 4 amps with lights, no smoke.

Total 7 amps.

I use Bridgewerks power supplies.  They are at the higher end of cost, but they are made in America and have a great warrenty.  I have  3, 10 and 15 amp power supplies.

There are others out there, but I can't comment on them because I have no experience with them.

Chuck

The power supply doesn't care who made the track.

Chris

Along the lines of Bill's comment.  If it works on the starter set track, is it possible to move the outside track to a level space, driveway, or garage floor? This would then give us some more information, if it works or not.

Most starter set power supplies put out between 0.5 and 1 amp.  Most single motor engines require between 0.5 and 1 amp to run.  If your engine has smoke, lights, and sound, try turning those off.  There should be a switch for smoke, and I don't know about the other two. 

For one engine we recommend a power supply with a minimum output of 3 amps, more is better.  I use 10 amp units.  I have a streamliners that requires 7 amps.

Chuck

Chris

I hope you can get up and running before the first snow.  I enjoy running my trains in the white stuff.  If you need to shovel out the track, be sure to use a plastic shovel.  Metal ones will scratch and possibly damage the track.

Winter in Virginia



Train in Colorado before moving to Virginia



If you want the trains to do the work, under proper conditions
Colorado

Virginia


This is a learning experience.  Give it time and keep asking questions.

Chuck

Andrew may have hit the nail on the head.  If you are using a starter set power supply, that may be the problem.  They really don't have the power. 

Try bringing inside enough track to make a circle and with the power supply close to the track, short wires, see if it will run, or bring in some straight track (10'-15') and see how it runs on a level track on the floor.