Engine tends to not start from standstill

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I’m relatively new to this and my son and I are putting together a small HO setup. We’re using Atlas Code 100 flextrack and soldering most of the layout. It’s on a modified 4x8. We just finished the main loop of track which is about 45’ in total length/run with a couple of turnouts off of it (two of them making a reverse loop.

We’ve had the main loop operating well since Thursday (Thanksgiving). Today, Saturday, my son dropped his Walthers Diesel locomotive from the table to the floor. It looked OK, though I had to straighten out the coupler on the back end. Ever since, I runs maybe a bit less smoothly, but the particular problem is that it very often doesn’t start from a standstill unless you give it a little shove.

To complicate matters more, I had just replaced the wired rail joiners today with soldered connections (in one place only so far). Also, with all the construction going on, there’s been the likelihood of dirt and gunk on/near the track that I’ve attempted to clean with no improvement. Finally, this engine is the only one we have to test with at this point.

So, I’m thinking it’s likely the engine somehow affected by the fall, but I’m not sure how. Once it starts going, it goes ok, but might/might not be a little less smooth. It’s possible it’s the connections, but there was no improvement when I reattached the wired rail joiners at another location in addition to the soldered connections. Finally, cleaning the track doesn’t seem to help the startup problem. This engine has only been run for maybe a total of 10 minutes running time up until this point.

Advice? If it is the engine, what should I look for? How can I find the problem if it is the engine or if it’s something else?

Thanks in advance for the advice. I’ll have schematics and photos on my web site as soon as I can.

David

2

It sounds like the fall jarred the connections on the loco.
Usually what occurs is the trucks will land first and take
the blow, slightly bending or distorting the caliper. Thus,
it results in poorer operation. When you pu***he loco,
it makes a contact and is “happy” for a while. See if you
can put the engine on a straight track and adjust the wheels
making sure you have positive contact with track.
Next, be sure the starting point on the track is CLEANED.
I sometimes experience this as well with my older engines
and find that lube helps to reduce this. I would also suggest
to solder a wire inside the loco for full positive contact to the
motor. You may have already done this. That fall did some
damage for sure. If you experience this any worse, have a
hobby specialist look at it for you ($25 or less )and test the
engine professionally.
ken_ecr

3

I had a perhaps similar problem with an old Athearn loco a long time ago. Sometimes it would start up just fine. Other times it would just sit there, but the headlight would be on and extremely bright. Seemed to me like there must have been a short in there somewhere. I tore that thing down about five times and never did solve the problem.

4

If an electric motor does not turn it is usually because it is not getting sufficient power. Assuning you have checked all internal wiring and wheel wipers the only thing left is the commutator. Dirt, grease or insufficient pressure on the brushes will cause intermittent operation. Put your naked loco on the track and take a meter reading across the motor. If you get a voltage then it’s time to clean the commutator and adjust the brushes.