Indaloman Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Just rebuilding my layout having moved house. Layout complete,but no scenery. Doing a test run today and the loco, which had been running perfectly, stopped halfway round and will not restart. Track has been cleaned, there is power to the track (tested with voltmeter) and when I upend the loco and make contact directly with the wires from the Select controller the wheels turn perfectly, and the speed can be varied correctly. Yet, when place back on the track, nothing. Any ideas would be welcome. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Had been working perfectly since you started rebuilding, or only previously? You say voltage showing to the track, does this include when the loco is on the track or only without it? And to all parts of the track? You've given us very little to go on so I'm starting with basic questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 At the time when the loco stopped and wouldn't restart on the track..Did this instant in time coincide with any other action such as operating a point?Did the loco and/or train stop whilst traversing a point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Is the Select connected to the track by a power clip or power track or other method. It may be if the clip connection is poor you can get a meter reading but it will not pass current enough to run a loco. Check the clip is correctly fitted to the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indaloman Posted April 12, 2020 Author Share Posted April 12, 2020 Thanks to all of you. Sorry I was a bit vague. The loco has been working well up to now, apart from, occasional 'jerky' movements in the past, due to dirty track, I believe. The voltage is there whether the loco is on or off the track. I have tested in 4 or 5 random locations, but not all round. It wasn't traversing a point, and I wasn't operating one (they are manual at present). Yes, it is clip connection (Peco and mostly Peco Settrack). I was intending to solder later, but I will try it as suggested. The only thing I wondered - time for a confession here - is whether the cleaning might have had an adverse effect. I went right round the track as there was dust etc from the building thus far and, because I had run out of proper track cleaner, used lighter fluid - a tip I was given when visiting a professional layout sine time ago, probably an analogue layout I guess. I have spotted some other posts about what to clean with, and now wonder whether there is sufficient oil in lighter fluid to cause a problem. I am not an electrical expert, knowing just about enought to set the railway up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Lighter fluid is an excellent cleaner for track and wheels but it evaporates very quickly and the fumes are exceedingly flammable, as you would expect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 ....which had been running perfectly, stopped halfway round and will not restart..Does it restart if you give it a nudge....say move it along manually by an inch or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jane1707819582 Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Rub your finger tip right round your track .if your finger is black after your track needs cleaning .Might be worth cleaning the inside flanges of your wheels too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indaloman Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 Thanks so much to everyone for all the tips. I have tried nudging, but no luck. Hadn't thought about the inside of the flanges though. I will do that, and then my next step will be to solder the power leads to the track, and clean again with a track rubber. Keep safe all of you. At least the lockdown is giving me time to work on the layout. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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