R3721X Stopping at points

[lindybay]

Just received above loco for Xmas.  Loco runs well but stops at all turnouts, just for a couple of seconds unless it is operated at over 50% power.  The points are PECO insulfrog and this is not an issue with any of my other locos.

Why would this be?

[atom3624]

If purchased new I would contact the vendor.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

If you are experienced, it sounds like one or more pickups are not making contact with the wheels, thus it's relying on just one or 2 pairs of wheels for power collection.

 

As it is suffix 'X', is this a DCC locomotive - may be decoder related as well - others will advise.

 

Al.

[Chrissaf]

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[rpjallan]

I would expect that loco to run fine over PECO insulfrog points so, as atom3624 said, I'd be checking the pickups first of all.

[96RAF]

This is a large Prairie with a 2 - 6 - 2 wheel arrangement which should cope well with all points.

 

It would seem your points are not faulty as other locos cross them OK, but it is worth making sure they are dead flat by drilling a 1.5 mm hole in the sleeper in the middle and driving in another track pin (if your track is pinned down and not loose laid). If loose laid apply a bit of downward pressure to the point to see if the loco then moves.

 

Check as previously advised that the small metal wipers that pickup the track current are touching the backs of the six big wheels and they are not distorted. Move the wheels side to side and see if the wipers still touch. You may need a bright light to see the wipers.

 

Now check as the loco stops on the points which wheel is at the black ‘frog’ at the point where the rails meet.

 

Does the loco cross the points if you go the other way, i.e. in reverse and / or if you turn the loco round so it sees the points going both ways from either end of the loco.

[Mike_P]

A common problem with Peco insulfrog points is the frog area rises up; check and see if it needs holding down which can  be achieved by a track pin or two alongside  on the outer side of the rails. The Prairie has a pretty rigid chassis and the loco consequently does not take kindly to uneven track.