Not again, bummer

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

On my last layout I had an area in the switch yard where there was 4 tracks side by side. 2 of my TMCC equipped locomotives would lose the TMCC signal passing through the yard on the inside tracks. All other TMCC locos would pass through with no problems. Tried all the recommended fixes to no avail, eventually had to remove one of the tracks and increase the space with the 3 remaining tracks.

Well on my new layout which is still under construction, one of the switch yards which has 4 tracks side by side I attempted to run my TMCC equipped Northern Pacific F-3’s through the yard. Back to the lost signal headaches of the previous layout, engine stops and the ole headlight starts flashing, signaling lost TMCC signal. Other TMCC equipped engines have passed through with no problems. The interesting quirk, is this loco had no problems on the previous layout, BUMMER.

2

Both remote systems can have signal problems. If you have the instruction book read the section about grounding, that solves a lot of issues.

3

Have you tried interspersing ground wires between the tracks there? Also, increasing the size of the antenna in that locomotive will also help. I saw one that was an extreme case, tinfoil in the entire roof of the shell, but it did solve the problem. [:D]

4

If you have the instruction book read the section about grounding, that solves a lot of issues.

Yep, been there, done that. Did run a wire to an outside copper ground before I tore the switch yard apart, no difference.

5

I have also read several times where not having a big enough antenna caused porblems.

6

Did you try my other suggestion, increasing the size of the antenna in the locomotive?

7

I will be pulling the shell tomorrow and see what can be done to increase the length of the antenna. I probably won’t be putting a sheet of tin foil on the F unit, LOL.

8

That’s what my ex-wife said.

9

[(-D]