I put an oval into the HO folded fig 8, using two power supplies, and will change it to a figure 8. 

Next, I would like to try the plan that Len described: feeding the figure 8 from the oval.  He mentioned that there might be power issues.  Would it work to power two terminal rerailers from the same power supply?  That is, attach both leads to the power supply and go to the individual rerailers.  I am assuming that polarity would be an issue and would have to be checked first (?).

Power supply is Railpower 1300: Output 7 VA, Electronic circuitry, Master on-off switch, 300 degree speed control throttle, Automatic circuit protector, UL Listed.

Rather than starting a new topic, I felt that my question was germain to this thread.

I pulled my HO trains out after about an 8 year hiatus.  The two Walther GP's seem to going okay (albeit very noisy), but my Bachmann F7A (item # 60102) has started to just sit and "spin its wheels."  I thought that I was not getting the trucks on the track, but based on the symptoms that I have seen in this thread, I believe that I have the same problem.  It sounds like the loco is "grinding" internally.

I "goggled" around for schematics and info, etc, but haven't found much help.  I would like a little input as to how to tear apart this loco, before I in fact, tear apart this loco.  Also, does my problem seem to be the same as what the originator of this thread had experienced? 

I stopped using the "eraser" before I put the HO set away, about 9 years ago.  I am happy with the Isopropyl wipes, so far.

Quote from: jbrock27 on March 13, 2015, 10:11:45 PM
When you have the track on carpet, you are going to have to expect it is going to get dirty faster than if it was not on carpet.

I think I agree with this, just from the short time that I have had the HO on the carpet  The N scale is on a 2' x 4' table, and recently I put a rug under the tracks to reduce the noise.  The need for cleaning is much less.

I don't recall the name of the track eraser, but it did seem a bit "gritty", so I didn't use it very much.  It really wasn't effective, especially compared to the wipes that I have been using.

The HO ovals were converted to an folded fig 8 using a 30 deg crossing and using a few of the trestles, no longer going over the other track.  Yes it is still on the carpet.  I do take the points made about having the track on the carpet.  I don't know exactly what I will be doing with the HO, as I plan to build my first layout using the N scale equipment.

I ran the locos over the wipe, and really came up with a lot of junk.  I also hit the rails again, and picked up junk there also.  Seems to build up quickly.  Does this happen to large layouts as well?

I have seen various opinions about cleaners in various forums, so I decided to try the Isopropyl alcohol.  I tried an "eraser", before putting the HO away, and that did not help.   

All of the track, N and HO, is Bachmann nickel/silver.

Thanks for the info on the underside of the loco.  I really haven't had that much of a problem with the locos derailing, but I wasn't able to think of anything else.  I wouldn't have thought of the rerailers. 

I do have rerailers, one for each of the loops in my folded fig 8.  Originally, the second one was for power for the second, separate oval, which was recently joined to the other oval with a 30 deg crossing.  The 30 deg crossing in HO is a lot noisier than the N scale, so maybe there is some rubbing there as well.

QuoteBTW, one of the best ways to clean dirt and gunk off your loco wheels is to spray some WD-40 ...

Okay, I get the hint .  I think a R/R store owner mentioned something like your tip on cleaning the wheels.  Although she hadn't seen my HO loco, I may have mentioned that I used to have a lot of slowdowns on my ovals. 

Years ago, when I first bought my HO kits I wasn't able to get the tracks clean so I finally put it all away, for about nine years.  Recently, I purchased 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes for my N scale tracks and they worked well, so out came the HO gear and those tracks received a good cleaning, as well.

Will these wipes be okay for use with the wheel cleaning technique you mentioned?

While researching "traction tires" mentioned in the topic "Tool for loading cars on track", I also checked my lokies to see if they had traction tires, and I saw some wear.  Is this typical, or am I just a "lucky" newbie?  I am wondering if this would be caused during any derailments.

You can right click on the image and "copy image location", paste into a browser to get greater detail, 1600 x 1200.

Quote from: Joe323 on March 06, 2015, 01:26:40 PM
I have the Rix re-railer it works well on short rolling stock under say 7 inches

I found this, which looks like what I have for HO.  I'll have to check the couple of stores around here.

Quote from: InsideTrack on March 06, 2015, 11:14:45 AM
Item No. 44892 N scale E-Z Railer[

I can't tell from the image if it has the guides, but assume that it does.

Quote from: James in FL on March 06, 2015, 10:45:20 AM
1) You can use them for locos also, simply place the lokie on the ramp, and while holding the lokie with one hand, slide the ramp from under it.

2) As you may be aware, don't push/slide traction tired lokies along the railhead.

3) Re-railers are cheap at most train shows, I have several I've picked-up for a dollar each.

1) Thanks for the tip on loading the loco.  I may have done that 8 or 9 years ago.

2) A shop owner mentioned not pushing the loco on the track, which was the first time I heard that.  I am guilty of doing this.  What does it do to the loco?

3) I passed on a recent R/R show here locally! 

Thanks for all the info, I was sort-of grasping at straws!

When I unpacked my HO trains I realized that I had forgotten about a plastic tool to load cars onto the track.  Really handy, but it doesn't work with locos.  Has anyone seen this for N scale?

I received my HO track: the 30 deg crossing, assorted small tracks, etc.  It is a good thing that I bought that assorted tracks because I used all but a couple of them.

I created the folded fig 8 and it ended up being just short of 4' wide and about 7' long.

I had uncoupling problems with the 30 deg crossing, and had to add weights to the cars.  Like my N scale 30 deg crossing it seems to be between the loco and the following car.  The HO scale has settled down with my GP loco, but the F7 is still problematic.

Time to move on to my N scale layout.

Thanks for the good information and the link to YouTube, it all helped a lot.

The info on the static URL sent me "goggling" and I found a Flickr thread, with a lot of unhappy (whew!) folks.  But I think I may have found the correct HTML URL.  (Wow, it even works in preview, and I can select the size of the image on Flickr.) 

[Apology's to the moderator, but this was the only way that I could think of testing this link: it works in the address of a browser, but I wasn't certain if it work here.] 

I searched this site, and goggled "power feeder" but I was not able to find anything related to EZ-Track, which I plan to use.  If there is a way to use EZ-Track for additional power feeds, does the power come from the same controller?

I had tried using the "Attach: Browse" option in the reply dialog to load an image from my PC, but that doesn't work, so I will try using the suggested "img" tags.  Sorry for the stumbling around.

I have been experimenting with the trial version of AnyRail and was looking at the folded fig 8 with the dual ovals feeding the inner fig 8, in "N scale".  I have an area next to my desk that is about 7' x 5'3".  I was thinking about making an "L" shape layout.

Also, what are the issues with: "With that much track, power feeders will be an issue though."   

I am not able to attach files here, so I put my plan on Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51625787@N00/16092590823/

You had me going there for a minute.  I was looking around Bachmann website for the Anyrail forum, until I realized you meant the AnyRail.com website. 

Joe and Len, great stuff!

I was thinking of using both one or two controllers, so you both nailed it for me.  Both are interesting and I will probably do this for the N scale as well.

I currently rebuilt my setup as two ovals with a trestle.  The outer oval has additional 9" straights at the ends of the oval to make it work around the inner oval.  This is what it looked like at my last apartment before I put it away:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51625787@N00/16490381228/in/photostream/lightbox/

I ordered the additional track for the 30 degree crossing, yesterday, so I should be able to get started on the figure 8 next week, and then move on the the versions of the folded figure 8.

Thanks!