Loco problem or track problem?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m mystified. One of my locos has started hesitating at various places on my layout. It keeps occurring at the same places, which would seem to indicate track problems.

On the other hand, it only happens when the loco is running in reverse. When it is running forwards, it goes over these areas just fine even when running at extremely slow speeds. It is also only a problem with one locomotive – my other two don’t experience this problem.

I’ve tried cleaning thoroughly cleaning the track, and it makes no difference. Any thoughts?? [?][?]

Thanks

2

did you clean the pick-ups on the loco’s wheels?..sometimes they can get dirty and corroded and can cause the problem

3

I’ve cleaned all the wheels – is there anything else that should be cleaned? I still wonder why it happens only when it is running in reverse. I tried turning the locomotive around, so even though the throttle showed reverse the loco was running forward. Again, there was no problem. Even though the loco was going around the track in the same direction, since it was going front first instead of rear first it did just fine.

4

What kind of loco is it???[?][?][?]

5

The only difference is the loco running in forward or reverse, eh? Does the motor torque over to one side or the other when you change directions? If it does, make sure all of the wiring is making good contact. It sounds like something is binding or loosing conductivity, and that would be the only reason I could come up with.
Or ghosts.

6

It is an ‘N’ scale standard Life Like GP-38. I only paid $25 for it, so I guess I can’t complain too much if it is starting to fail. It is definitely losing conductivity – the light also dims when the loco stalls, so it is electrical rather than mechanical.

I should probably pop the body off and have a look inside. I’m a little hesitant to do so because I’m pretty much a rookie and have NO idea what I’m doing.

I kind of like the ghosts idea. [:)]

7

I have a Bowser 0-4-0 Dockside that crabs down the rails due to motor torque. This causes the wheel flange forced against the rail to pick both points and frogs while the other wheel on the same axle will touch the open point of a turnout creating a short. Maybe one of your GP-38s trucks is out of gauge (too narrow). I’d pop the shell off and have a look.
Best;
smyers

8

Another potential cause of the problem: I don’t know how the truck pivots work on this loco, but I had a similar problem with an Athearn DD40 - it wouldn’t run consistently. I noticed that the bodyshell was not level in relation to the trucks (it leant to one side). I eventually found that one truck pivot pad (on the truck) was bent slightly downwards. After a bit of adjustment with a pair of pliers it now runs perfectly. Hope this helps!

9

BINGO!! That was my problem! Everything is back as it should be now, and the mystery of my haunted railroad is solved.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. [bow][bow]

-Jerry

10

That was Quick. [:)]

11

This seems to be typical of this group. 1 member has a question, the group throws out suggestions, and before ya know it, you’ve gone and done something that you never had done before!!!
Good thing this isnt a rookie skydiving forum!!![:D]