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 Posted - May 25 2015 : 05:28:56 AM
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so i return to my train room after a few days with family and i start running my layout dc i notice all my trains stutter or stall my tracks well connected and my locos are a bit dirty admittedly wheel wise
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 07:31:28 AM
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So, is this something new, were they running OK before? Time for "Troubleshoot Mode" . :)
Do you have a second power source, ie power pak? if so, hook it up to some loose track, and test your engine(s). if the engine runs OK, it's either a power or track issue. if still balky, then the wheels may need cleaning,or your new track is dirty, too. :) In troubleshooting mode, it's best to isolate components one at a time. First the engine and track/power, test separately. That can eliminate half your problem. You have 3 main causes : Track , Power, engine . If ALL your engines are doing it, then I'd suspect track or power first. But you can have pieces of both, dirty wheels AND low power, dirty track. Like I said, best to eliminate the causes one by one. So isolate Track, Power, and Engine, and test them with something else. Are you using a Tyco gold power pack?   Could be a problem. Hard to pinpoint from a distance, but isolation is the key to good troubleshooting.
Jerry in VA
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
Edited by - AMC_Gremlin_GT on May 25 2015 07:32:29 AM
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 07:39:35 AM
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quote:So, is this something new, were they running OK before? Time for "Troubleshoot Mode" . :)
Do you have a second power source, ie power pak? if so, hook it up to some loose track, and test your engine(s). if the engine runs OK, it's either a power or track issue. if still balky, then the wheels may need cleaning,or your new track is dirty, too. :) In troubleshooting mode, it's best to isolate components one at a time. First the engine and track/power, test separately. That can eliminate half your problem. You have 3 main causes : Track , Power, engine . If ALL your engines are doing it, then I'd suspect track or power first. But you can have pieces of both, dirty wheels AND low power, dirty track. Like I said, best to eliminate the causes one by one. So isolate Track, Power, and Engine, and test them with something else. Are you using a Tyco gold power pack? Could be a problem. Hard to pinpoint from a distance, but isolation is the key to good troubleshooting.
Jerry in VA
Originally posted by AMC_Gremlin_GTÂ -Â May 25 2015Â :Â 07:31:28 AM
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when i set up the layout everything ran fine the brand im running is hornby and ive only had this set since christmas everything ran great until i lubed the gears the first time
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 1:08:11 PM
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Are you running American trains on the Hornby track? If so, that could be your problem. If not, the engines are probably dirty or need to be fixed up or something.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 1:44:49 PM
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I will only add this to the recommendations - you mentioned they were running fine until you lubed them. Perhaps you over-lubed them?
I'm not familiar with Hornby locos, it's just a general rule to be careful not to over-lubricate - it can cause problems.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 6:21:16 PM
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My trolley layout often goes days or weeks without attention. The first lap is always rough (stalling, etc.) and I'm 95% sure its a result of dust building up on the rails. Cleaning your tracks may be a good first step. Even if it's not the main issue, it's something that needs to be done periodically anyway. It can't hurt. 
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 9:03:26 PM
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quote:Are you running American trains on the Hornby track? If so, that could be your problem. If not, the engines are probably dirty or need to be fixed up or something.
Originally posted by kovacste000Â -Â May 25 2015Â :Â 1:08:11 PM
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its modern code 100 hornby track should run anything thats two rail
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 10:12:01 PM
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quote:
everything ran great until i lubed the gears the first time
Originally posted by trainfan91Â -Â May 25 2015Â :Â 07:39:35 AM
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So, I guess the question is, HOW much lube did you put on? It only takes a little bit, not a soaking. If it starts dripping off the bottom of the engine onto the tracks, well, you have a problem. I hope you didn't spray-lube the engine(s). I've seen some come in my train shop just soaked, that is NOT how they are supposed to be lubed....only sparingly! So if your problem started after that, I'd clean the track thoroughly with alcohol to remove any oil build-up, obviously the engines won't move well if the track is oiled, they need traction, ie dry track to operate. So, check your engine(s) for excess / dripping lube, and clean your track thoroughly.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - May 25 2015 : 10:39:21 PM
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If over-oiling is the problem, now would be a good time to learn how to tear-down and rebuild model trains. Take your time and take pictures as you go in case you forget how to put everything back together. Several months back I rebuilt an old metal trolley mechanism from ebay. It had been oiled to the point where it was leaving stains if it stayed in the same place for too long. I removed all the gears, bathed them in methyl hydrate, and wiped them with Q-tips/paper towel until they were completely clean. A small drop of oil on each axle, a dash of grease on each gear, and it runs like new again.
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Posted - May 26 2015 : 12:19:49 AM
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| should i invest in a track cleaner and maybe some fluid perhaps
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Posted - May 26 2015 : 5:47:33 PM
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My troubleshooting mode would begin with cleaning wheels and track. 99.44% of the time, dirt's the cause of stuttering. If it's still bad, then start in on the harder and rarer problems.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - May 31 2015 : 2:18:52 PM
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Simple dirt and oxide. Lionel Strang, a well published
model railroader wrote an article about using Wahl Hair
Clipper Oil on both wheel and track. I thought this
was nuts until, in desperation, I tried it. I now swear
by it. Use lightly.
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