Engine Slow Down In One Area

[wmwalker]

I have one area that is driving me up the wall. I have one small section of track (O-Gauge Lionel Tubular) between two K-line snap switches that the engines slow down then back to the normal speed after that pass either switch (depending on the direct of the engine). This just started after I install the new switches. I have pulled the track out and checked it for shorts all ok. Their is only three pieces of track between the switches. I have watched the amp and volt meters as it moves threw that area and no change in either. Both switches work correctly seems to have no issues. This section is on the same block.

Sorry for a being a long message but just looking for some help on this one.:confused:

[Roger B.]

Wyatt,
Take a pair of jumpers and connect the power feeds from a good section to this area and see if it helps, check the voltage with a meter. Its possible that having the switches on either end may be causing a voltage drop.

[wmwalker]

Roger B
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it this afternoon and it did not change the speed. But I was running and engine with a pullmor motor. I then placed a can motor engine with Odyssey and it seems to stay the same. But I would think that it would because of the Odyssey. It is not a big deal because I would be the person to notice it because it only between 3 pieces of track. But I am a sticker about my layout so I was trying to fix it.

Hope you made it threw the storms today not any here yet.

[rick486]

Just thinking there may be a flaw in the track...try replacing the section with other track and see if the problem continues....

Rich

[wmwalker]

Rich thanks I will try that because that is about all I know to do as well. Thanks

[wmwalker]

Well it appears to be fixed now. I replaced the track and it seems ok now. Go figure the track tested good with a ohm meter but for some reason it slowed down the engines. I will keep watching to see if it reappears again. Maybe just replacing the track it got a better connection who knows. Any way thanks for all the help. Sometimes just getting different ideas really helps.:)

[rick486]

amazing!!! I feel like applying for an honorary EE degree....

I've had track problems as well as probably anyone with a layout. For example, on my Christmas layout around the tree, one engine, the Lionmaster UP Big Boy would stall and the railsounds would short out at the top of the trestle incline, just before it flattened out. Of the four engines, it was the only engine that did it. I cleaned the track a zillion times, and ran a separate power line to that section of track....all to no avail, the UP loco would stall out at low speeds at the top....

But then, as I watched the loco proceed up the incline from about a foot away, I noticed that, due to the weight of the engine, it was compressing the trestle on the carpet and as a result, the cowcatcher was shorting (arcing) on the third rail....

Who Knew??????????????

Rich

[wmwalker]

Rich
Wow that was something but at least you finally figured it out. That track just was bugging men to death. I hate it when something starts acting up but it seems ok now. Thanks again for the insite on what to try. As I have learned alot of times someone can look at a issue and see it in a different way and come up with a fix. Thanks again.