Sticky Locomotives looking for help

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello,

I just put together a N-scale layout with DCC. I am having a problems with all three of my dcc equiped locomotives.

  1. They start very slowly…most times they need a finger push to get them rolling. Even taking them up to full throtle they will not move unless I finger push them.

  2. Once moving, they go around my loop, and generally get slow (noticable drop in speed) in the same spots on the loop. The loop passes the “quarter test” for DCC at these spots.

  3. In a “good spot” on the loop, I bring the loco to a stop, hit the reverse key, turn up speed, and then again need to finger push the loco’s to get them going again.

All three loco’s are brand new Atlas bough already DCC equiped.

I have power feeders to the rail about every 8 feet or so.

Any ideas on what is wrong would be appreciated.

thanks

2

even new locos may require a lube job, check gears and bearings for proper lubricaion.

are the wheels in gauge, centered in the trucks? new locos need to be checked do the trucks move freely?

run with shell off, does there seem to be any binding, chassis screws could be too tight/loose

new loco should be run in after check-up for 30 minutes foreward at various speeds, repeat for reverse to set motor brushes and gear sets

there could be other issues, but that’s where I would start

3

My guess is you have a programming issue. Never seen 3 Atlas that didn’t run okay, total, in my whole life.

4

It sounds like you have the decoders programmed wrong on CVs 2, 3, and 4. The normal factory default for these is 0, but CV2 may need to be higher. Try setting CV2 to a value of 4 or 6 on one of the locomotives and see if that doesn’t eliminate the need to give it a push.

Slowing down at the same spot on your layout is an indication of inadequate power to the track, despite the results of the quarter test. If you’re using sectional track, you probably need more feeder wires because the rail joiners are loose and causing low voltage to that section.

Also, the wiring between your DCC booster and track may need to be a heavier guage. The slow startups may be caused by the track not receiving enough amperage from your booster, although the voltage may be high enough.

5

OK,I’m not knowledgeable to DCC so I may be all wet here, but it sounds like dirty track or wheels or both. Ken

6

Thanks for the suggestions. I am putting in more feeders right now,and I’ll adjust the CV’s. I’ll know more in a few days.

thanks