Flying Scotsman Stopped

[BJP]

Hi

I have recently built a layout that runs 5 locos simultaneously. About 4 weeks ago I bought a DCC with Sound Flying Scotsman. It has been running fine, but suddenly it has stopped working. The sound is running, but no movement. Other engines run fine on the track.

Has anybody any ideas

Thanks

Brian

[Chrissaf]

Presumably a TTS sound decoder ... you didn't say.

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These TTS decoders seem to come up on this forum with alarming regularity.

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The sound running seems to infer that the controller can see the decoder, else you wouldn't be able to turn the sound on and off.

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The other locos being OK infers that the basic controller operation and track power distribution is OK too.

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The conclusion then is that the TTS decoder or loco motor has gone faulty.

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As a new purchase only a few weeks old, I suggest you send it back for 'refund', 'replacement' or 'repair'.

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[BJP]

Hi Chrissaf

Thanks for your reply. Yes it is with TTS Sound Decoder (factory fitted) Do you think it worth changing the decoder? or is the fact that the sound is on mean its OK

Brian

[Chrissaf]

If you are not going to send it back to the seller and try and fix it yourself.

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Then you need to diagnose whether the fault lies with the decoder or the motor.

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As it is a factory fitted TTS, then there is a white 4 way electrical plug inserted into a socket on the tender in the area adjacent to the tender to loco coupling. This plug has four black wires. The inner two wires go to the motor. If one of these wires are broken then that would stop the loco moving but the sound be OK. These four wires are extremely delicate and break easily. So give these a visual inspection. Give the wires a gentle and I mean gentle tug just to see if one of the two inner wires have broken away from their associated pin terminal.

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You can just see these four wires hanging in this image between the loco & tender.

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If one of the two inner wires pulls out, then the plug will need replacing. It is part number X6113. The official Hornby plug extractor tool is part number X6468.

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If the plug and wires look and feel intact, then applying DC power from a brand new charged 9 volt battery or a 6 to 12 volt DC power pack source to the two inner wires on the plug should spin the loco motor. This will of course, require the plug to be removed from the socket. If you do not have the X6468 extractor tool. Do not, remove the plug by pulling on the wires (this is how they get broken in the first place). Prise the plug out gently with a couple of watchmakers screw drivers, one each end of the plug so that it is extracted evenly.

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If applying power this way does not spin the motor then the body of the loco will need to come off to see if applying power directly to the motor terminals spins the motor. Trace the two inner wires of the four way plug and see where they terminate inside the loco body. Check the terminations to see how secure they are. Apply your testing power source to those two locations to see if the motor spins. If the motor still does not spin, apply the test power source directly to the motor itself. If the motor does not spin with the testing power applied directly to the motor and the gearing and wheels have not locked up (do they move when turning the motor by hand) then the motor is likely at fault.

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Sometimes, rarely but I have seen it happen. Just turning the motor by hand clears the fault and the motor then functions normally under electrical power.

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If however the motor spins when applying the power to the two inner pins on the plug then the issue is in the tender where the decoder is located.  Chances are the fault is then with the decoder itself.

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The above just gives a flavour of the principles of diagnosis. Diagnosis is all about tracing the power path from the wheel pickups to the motor (or in your case the decoder to the motor) and seeing where the motor works and where it doesn't. Then the issue is between those two locations.

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[WilliamDavid]

The motor on mine failed. It is not one of Hornby’s best. Hornby fitted a new motor foc.