voucherman

I only used the link connector for convenience this time. All previous trackwork was connected using droppers connected to a bus, and once I'm up & running, new track will be too. As for the link connectors, I think they're best consigned to the bin. So, after soldering a new programming track, and adding soldered joints to my small oval test track, nearly all the locos are now working. A couple of them do show the address when asked, but all the others still show XXX, so as noted by 96RAF, it's probably due to the type of decoder. A few of the locos were a bit juddery to start off, but a couple of drops of oil seems to have cured them. Now I'm happy there's a few working locos to play with, I can put them all back in the cabinets and start on the track. As for the wheel cleaner, it looks like I'll be staying with cotton buds for now. It was mainly the rolling stock I hoped to use it for, but after a bit more searching and watching some youtube videos, I've not found anything suitable.

Some useful information there, thank you. You've likely identified the issue. I've just used an old analogue power track, which appears to be the only type I have. I guess having successfully set a couple of locos, I got complacent. Time to get the soldering iron out & make a better job. For now my only track cleaner, other than a rubber, is a Dapol cleaner, which also needs checking. If I don't follow up here, you can assume the problem's solved, and all should be quiet, unless I ever get around to trying to get RailMaster up & running, but knowing me, that won't happen inside the next couple of years.

Apologies for the lazy post, but I've not had much luck searching. I'm just getting back into the hobby after a break of about 10 years. I've updated the Elite's firmware, and thought it best to check the state of the locos before I started anything else. I set up a programming track, and tried to set up all the addresses, but only 6 of them appear to work. When I tried to read the address, after writing, about 10 of the locos just had XXX in place of the number. Hoping that others who've encountered the problem will also have found a solution. I think 5 out of the 6 that currently work have R8249 decoders in them, so those not yet working are a mix of R8249, R8245 & some unknowns that were either factory fitted, or by the previous owner, for a couple of 2nd hand models. All but 3 of the locos have spent the last 10 years stood on pieces of track inside display cabinets. Not sealed, but reasonable dust excluders. I've given some of the wheels a bit of a clean, mostly using isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud. The track I went over with a rubber, then wiped it with isopropyl too. Any suggestions on the likely problem/solution would be very welcome, as I'd prefer to fix all the locos before starting back on the track-work. As a side note, I had a quick look at wheel-cleaners, and wondered if they're generally considered a good addition to the maintenance cupboard. The two I've looked at so far are Woodland Scenics' & Guagemaster's.