Problem with track, power packs and certain engines

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I have a loop of Lionel Fastrack which I use for testing engines and rolling stock, when it’s not being used for a holiday layout. I’ve run into some strange problems lately. What does a 'Bang" S2 from RMT, a Williams GG-1 #2360, and an MTH Alco PA AA set (30-2196-0) have in common? They either refuse to run, or operate erratically. (The S2 only runs forward.) I’ve tried running them with both a Lionel CW 80 controller, and an MTH Z 750 controller. Other engines seem to run fine, including vintage Lionel postwar and more recent products.

Here’s the thing that makes it a puzzle. The last time I tried running one of the three engines, it worked. The one thing that was different was that I had a Williams illuminated coach sitting on the track as well. All three engines work with it on the track, and don’t with it removed. The S2 flashes its lights briefly when cycling through Neutral.

Any ideas what might be going on?

2

You know the only thing the pass. car would be doing is completing the ground circuit on the out side rails. I would check you track carefully with a meter!

3

The lighted passenger car would also be drawing current for the lamps. The CW80 has small capacitors shunting its pass-element triacs. This can cause problems with a modern locomotive that draws virtually no current when not running, since the capacitors leak enough current to the track that the voltage is never completely interrupted, preventing the electronic e-unit from cycling. Whether this explains your specific locomotives’ problems, I don’t know; but it is suspicious that the passenger car fixes them. You might consider connecting a lamp permanently across the transformer terminals.

4

Thanks - I’ll give it a shot.