Hello, Folks

I was wondering if any of you have ever come across the problem of certain locomotives cutting out on Bachmann turnouts.  I have a Walthers Proto F3 A/B locomotive that runs fine except when it crosses certain turnouts, not all of them, and usually at slow speeds.  The loco tends to lose power and lurch, the lights and sounds go off, but then it regains power and continues to move. 

I have three other locos that perform perfectly, so I know it's not the turnouts but something about the locomotive.  I returned the first one I bought, thinking that the loco was the problem, but the replacement does the same thing, although not as much as the previous one. 

If you have any insights or suggestions, I'd certain appreciate them.

Thanks,

Keith

Hello, All

A few weeks ago, I started a new topic to ask for assistance with Bachmann turnouts, specifically a DCC #5 Left and Right (Item Nos. 44132 and 44133).  I've also used the regular DCC turnouts left and right (Nos.  44130 and 44131, the ones without a number like #4 or #5) and have never had a problem with them.  I bought the two #5s because I was running cars that are too long for the regular turnouts.  From the moment I started using them, I had nothing but derailments whenever I went a certain direction.  Thanks to you guys, I was able to solve the problem with a little filing of the tips.  

All went well until yesterday, when I placed my beautiful new set of MTH Southern Pacific Daylight passenger cars on the track and started to roll.  As soon as I backed the train into the #5 right turnout, the train derailed.  (I have had no problem with this turnout when I run any other train, that is, after I fixed the initial problem with it.)  I ran the SP train on the #5 left turnout, and it ran perfectly.  I'm once again stumped as to how cars can behave so differently on the same turnout.  I've done some more filing on the points of the turnout, but this time it didn't solve the problem.  I've tried everything I can think of, but as soon as I back the track through the turnout, the wheels catch on the left point, even though there's not much left to catch the wheel on.  

I've noticed that the regular turnouts have much longer points, that is, they extend way beyond the point where the points anchor to the switching mechanism.  I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that I've never had a problem with them.  I'm once again very frustrated since I'd really love to run this magnificent set of cars, lights and all, without having to anticipate derailments.  If this continues, I'm going to have to use different turnouts, although I have no idea what would be compatible with EZ Track.  I remember one of you saying that you make your own turnouts, but that may be a little too rich for my blood.  

Any help would be appreciated.  

Thanks,

Keith

Hi, Folks

I recently purchased a Bachmann DCC Turnout #5 (right) and have  run into a frustrating problem.  The good news is that it's a cinch to program and switches perfectly every time.  Here's the problem:  when I run an A/B locomotive set, the B end gets stuck in the track when I set the turnout to right.  (There's no problem when it's closed.) I'll try to explain what I discovered.

It seems that the part of the track that shifts to send the train to the right (sorry, I don't know what that's called) moves a little as the locomotive passes over it, which isn't a problem with a single locomotive or the passengers cars that it pulls.  It only gives me fits when I run an A/B arrangement.  When the A loco passes over the turnout, its rear wheels appear to create a little space between the track part that goes straight and the one that veers to the right.  The front wheels of the B loco, then, enter the turnout while the shifter part of the track hasn't quite yet settled back to the full rightward position, so the B loco gets jammed between the two parts of the track.

One more thing:  when I manually pull the A/B set  through the turnout it works fine as long as I pull the A loco.  As soon as I push or pull the set with only the B end, it jams as described above.  I have run only one locomotive set so far, but I doubt the others will behave any differently.  i

Does anyone have a solution to this problem?  I'm really at a loss to figure it out.

Thanks

Keith

Hey, All

I'm new to this hobby and have a question about figuring out how to make basic layouts. Circles are a cinch, as are ovals, but figure eights never cease to confuse me.  I'd appreciate it if one of you could explain which track parts I need to make a figure eight using 26" curve track.  I've tried to do it on AnyRail but to no avail.  I had no trouble at all with figure eights using 18" and 22", but 26" has me stumped. 

Sorry for the rookie question, but we all have to start somewhere.  Maybe I need to take a geometry course!

Keith