SOS message!

bluedepot · June 06, 2012, 09:28:24 PM

would any n gaugers in the leicester area like to come round and help me overcome the problems i have with short circuiting / poor running?

i seem to spend all my time adjusting wheel spacing and point blade alignment.... i think something must be very wrong as ever since i built my layout i have been plagued by this issue...

tea and biscuits will be provided!!!

cheers

tim

Tank · June 07, 2012, 09:26:22 PM

The biscuits sound great, but I'm too far away!

bluedepot · June 07, 2012, 09:27:38 PM

ok thanks...

i'm getting so cheesed off with n gauge... it's just one problem leading to another all the time for me....

tim

Tank · June 07, 2012, 09:31:42 PM

You shouldn't get many issues with your point blades.

One thing that I learnt for myself was not to buy the Peco set track points, as they derail a lot of my longer trains.

Anyway, I hope someone can help you out. $:-\$

bluedepot · June 07, 2012, 09:33:41 PM

they are all medium or large radius electrofrog points...

tonight i am trying to fix a class 47, it runs on the gaugemaster wheel cleaning pads... but not on the track.... i wish there were videos or a book on loco servicing / repairs!!!

anyway cheers!

tim

NTrain · June 07, 2012, 09:35:37 PM

How about posting some pictures of the layout.

You mention a Class 47. Is this one of the new ones or an oldie.

bluedepot · June 07, 2012, 09:46:17 PM

hi n train,

it's a new bachmann-farish class 47. it picks up power and the wheels spin on the wheel cleaning pads (gaugemaster one). it just doesn't take power on the track. it could well be the pick ups or something like that but i don't know how to check them / adjust them. it will sometimes take a bit of power for a few seconds on the track but that's all.

i also have constant problems with short circuits and this is the most frustrating issue. i have checked and corrected the back to backs on everything with a wheel gauge. none the less lots of the trains still create short circuits over the points. i have adjusted the point blades as well. none of the fixes have been permanent though.

anyway here are a few pics to give you an idea of my layout... it is on a 300cm x 80cm board. it is 2 loops. a small depot. 8 lane fiddle yard (6 through lanes, 2 dead ends)... it is dcc, i have the dynamis controller.

cheers

tim

scotsoft · June 07, 2012, 09:56:48 PM

When I get frustrated with my locos or helicopters I take a break from them for a few days.
Going back to a problem after a few days gives you time to calm down and helps you think clearer.
It has happened to everybody on here and will happen again.

cheers John.

Donkey · June 07, 2012, 10:07:20 PM

Hi Tim, I was just wondering if there is a model rail club near you? I have joined my local Stockton one and have found them to be very helpful. I sometimes find it easier to be shown how to do something (like adjusting pick ups) than to read instructions about it. Just a thought mate, and good luck sorting your problems.

Marty

Jack · June 07, 2012, 10:14:15 PM

I've been pondering...

When you laid your track did you fit Insulated Rail Joiners (IRJ's) to both sides of the all the frogs on your points, that's assuming that you've used electro frog type points?

Roy L S · June 07, 2012, 10:22:02 PM

Quote from: bluedepot on June 07, 2012, 09:33:41 PM
they are all medium or large radius electrofrog points...

tonight i am trying to fix a class 47, it runs on the gaugemaster wheel cleaning pads... but not on the track.... i wish there were videos or a book on loco servicing / repairs!!!

anyway cheers!

tim

Hi Tim

I notice your layout is a continuous run. Forgive me for asking, in case I am teaching Granny to suck eggs, but I assume that you have followed Peco's instructions for installing the elecrofrog points in terms of using isolating rail joiners - i.e. feeding at the toe of the point, and insulating at the diverging route end? If not you will get short circuits on a continuous run and it could explain why your 47 runs on a rolling road and not on the layout.

You shouldn't need to adjust point blades to avoid shorts - I have never had to do that.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Roy

OwL · June 07, 2012, 10:25:12 PM

Tim,

I'm not a million miles away as you know, so if you need I will have a look but please remember I model DC so it could well be the blind leading the blind.

Send us a text if you want me to pop round one night- two heads may be better than one!

bluedepot · June 07, 2012, 10:49:55 PM

cheers for the replies!!! this is like a samaritans service for me!!! hahaha

yes i think i added insulated rail joiners on them all, but i will check! i certainly intended to, having read that in the guide book i bought!!! hahaha

this is not connected to short circuits, and it might be totally random, but i used some 'carrs railclean' yesterday, and after that the trains ran much much worse!!!! is there any connection? has it coated the track in something? i have since used ipa to clean the track again...

yes taking a break for a few days is a good idea! i know from experience that frustration can lead to more damage!!! hahaha

yes i should join a local club! i really must get along to the n gauge area group one day!

yes owl definitely come round one day, hopefully it will be running better by then though!!!

cheers,

tim

Jack · June 07, 2012, 11:05:36 PM

Tim

From personal experience, check to make sure that all your droppers are connected on the correct side of the bus. I remember in the past soldering a black wire on the wrong side of one piece of track. I know its a pain to check. Sometimes its easy to make a simple mistake.

What ever, don't give up, you'll gain from this experience in the long run.

NTrain · June 07, 2012, 11:34:29 PM

Before I had to give up going to the local club, we were checking all our risers. A couple were wrong and produced short circuits at odd times.

As for the 47, I think the pickups are wiper blades and may make direct contact with the Gaugemaster, not with the wheels while on the track. Not sure how you get out the bogies on the 47, but I think they need to be, so you can tweak them.