I have a loop running the perimeter of my layout. In one spot the loco’s come to a dead stop and the red light comes on on my Z transformer and make an even louder buzzing sound. I tried replacing the track where the loco stop at. No luck. I then knew its not the track. When it comes to a dead stop the whistle sounds in my tender and didnt even push the whistle button. Any ideas whats wrong?? I tried other engines, same result. It only happens when i am at low speed, but the Z is running at 15 volts. And it is on a curved section that the loco goes dead. But, if i go fast over that dead spot the engine will glide right through it. Also, all the lights would dim, all loco lights. I have no idea what to do now, i have done what i can. any ideas let me know. thanks.
What I have done in the past is take a spot light car and slowly push it around the track. When it finds the bad track the light goes off. The track that is bad could be the one before the curb where your engine is having problems.
Well, i am using 031 gauge track. But the engine stops right in the middle of the curve, where the two curves meet. I think i might be pushing too many volts. My 2321 FM does not have any problems with that curve, just the steam engines, all my diesels glide over it. I have a search light car, i will have to look for it. thanks.
Okay, I have 5 passenger cars on the line that has a section of dead track. When my S.F. ABA and 5 cars go around, it does not stop on the dead section of track. All my diesel locos run fine over the dead spot. But, when i go to put on a steam engine with 5 cars, it stops at the dead section. Also, when i bump it down to just 4 passenger cars, the steam engines go across just fine. It has something to do with the amount of cars i put behind the engine. I could be pushing too many volts to my steam engines. What is the recommend volts to put on an engine?? Maybe my Z is too powerful for the #726 steam. I am not sure what to do now, guess i might look for that searchlight car. see if the light goes out on dead section. But I replaced the track where the dead spot is. nothing. Must be too much strain on steam engines. thanks.
well you replaced both curve sections so that negates that as to possible cause.
now check track section before and after that curve area see if the insulation strip in center rail may be allowing the rail to short out onto the metal ties. also check and see if rails are crimped tightly on all 3 rails
a weak connection on any rail can create a power loss.
you say the lights go dim on that curve that indicates a possible short.
do you have a voltmeter if so take all trains off layout turn on your transformer and check 3 spots on your loop of track are the volts same or close to the same reading now check the curve your having trouble with if showing half or less you have current being drawn off at that location.
also check for a screw tip that may be touching the rails in a way to draw power from that curve hope these ideas help you find the cause and cure. also make sure track pins are tight in rails all 3 and no rust. not sure what z transformer you mean, but its not to powerful for your steamers I run conventional and command engines @ 18 volts they fly at that voltage in conventional mode like when we were kids creating our version of a rocket launcher.
I re read your post a red light on a transformer means you have a dead short on that curve so check all of the above.
also if you can isolate a 8’ length using that curve run just an engine keep taking a section of track off when it keeps running with track sections still being hooked up the last piece of track that you took out is your offending track section.
do you have a switch before or after that curve?
Highly doubt it has anything to do with the steam engines. I dont think you are “pushing to many volts” . If I’am not mistaken a Z only has about 4 more volts than a ZW. Trains may run faster with a Z when the throtle is wide open. The lights in the trains would be brighter and even heat up a little more causing them to burn out faster when the throtle is wide open. But that is it. Can you describe your layout a little better. With steam it could be putting the Trucks and center rail pickups in different places on the track compared to the diesel’s causing a short. I would think you should only have this problem with all or only one engine. Not steam verse diesel. Keep the ? coming. The forum members on this site are some of the best. We will help you figure it out.
Jason
Jason is right about the transformer. It is not the problem.
I think you are getting a short circuit from those steam locomotives. Two likely causes are the pilot or the drawbar touching the center rail. If the clearances for these are not great, a slightly unlevel track can cause them to touch the rail. Watch the locomotive from the side at layout ground level as it goes through the curve, looking for sparks.
Steam engines are generally heavier. I think you have a bas piece of insulation on the track. The heavier engine goes over the bad spot and acts like a switch causing the short. The theory fits your description. Did you reverse the train and try from the opposite direction?
I think CB&Q is on the right track.
My layout consists of (2) 8x4 and (1) 4x4…I have a main line running the perimeter of the layout (the one that shorts) I have another line inside of the main line, no problems with it, and this line has all my switches on it. The main line has no switches. I will check the insulation and rails. Funny thing is it only shorts when i have 5 passenger cars behind a steam engine. The diesels does not cause a short. And yes my red light cam on on my transformer, so cut the power. I tried like 4 different steam engines, same thing, they all short. Its right at the S curve i have on main line. Maybe could be the screws that i secured the track down with…i will try to take out the screws and see if that works. Thanks.
I found the problem. It was the tender. I have been using the same tender for those 4 steam engines i tried. The diesels obviously have no tender. When the steam would reach the dead spot, the whistle would sound. So i put on another tender, now it works. I dont know whats up with that 6020W tender. I put on a 2671 tender all is good. thanks for the help.
Are you adding on the same passenger car? Try different combos of 4 passenger cars and see if one car is causing the problem.
Maybe the whistles could be the problem. You said the whistle sounds when the problem occurs, right? Try running the steamers without the tenders.
Whoops… had the reply window open as I was thinking. Didnt see your post. Good to hear you found the cause of the problem. Seemed like that was the only option left since you track was on a flat surface, sections were replaced, and the tender was the only common thing present when the problem occured.
Still cant figure out why the tender only causes the problem in that spot. Do you have feeders along the main line? If not, is that area on the oposite side of the power source in the loop?
The 5 passenger cars are just fine. I have 2 lockons for my main line loop. I still think its the tender, cause it is an older tender, has a little rust on it. I should open it up and see its internals.
Heres a long shot…
You said the problem occurs at low voltage. Could it be that the whistle relay is stuck, for whatever reason the whistle motor is rusted/not oiled and runs rough, and as a result it is drawing a lot more amps than usual? Add on an engine motor, smoke unit heating element, and 5 illuminated passenger cars and all of that could be too much.
Not sure what the breaker on a Z is rated at but maybe its tripping early as well.
or is my electrical logic way off??
I have 4 lighted passenger cars and 1 baggage with no lights, the red light came on when i was at the other end of layout and did not get back to Z transformer in time. it seems to work fine now, because i switched tenders. well, guess its okay now. thanks for the help.
lionel2,
You’ve piqued (sp) my curiosity. What is the 6020W tender doing through this section that the 2671W is not? Have you watched both go through here?
Mike
2 possibilities… 1) a center roller spring on the tender is weak and the rivet is touching the truck bolster around that turn… 2) the wire insulation is worn/broken off one of the pickup wires, or one wire is off completely hitting the truck or bolster in that turn.
But it’s a short circuit somewhere, not a dead spot.
Rob
Its the 6020W that is having problems. So i tried my 2671W and it works fine. I will check the roller pickups on the 6020W. Thanks for the help.