Losing tmcc signal

david1-

It sounds like a ground plane issue, but since it is affecting only one locomotive I'd suggest checking to see if the antenna and antenna wires are in good shape. Since you have a steam locomotive, I'd also check that none of the antenna insulators (most steamers use the handrails as antennas) are missing too. Worst case you might need to add a few ground wires to the switching yard.

-John

what acelaNYP said...

Checked the handrails and they are ok. Seems a few ground wires may do the trick. Strange though it only happens with the one engine.

Many times the R2LC is weak in one or two engines, replacing them may be in order.

But only losing the signal in the yard where other steam engines are parked. When running on the main it is fine. 

The other engines are also on unpowered tracks in the yard. 

That sounds like a classic ground plane issue.  I would take AcelaNYP's advice to heart.

George

Where the signal is weakest, the weakest R2LC would show up.  Adding the ground plane may fix it, but since there's a difference between this one and all the others, my guess is either the antenna or the R2LC is not up to the task.

Yep. It is probably a ground plane issue. I notice the same scenario. Multiple tracks, one track was affected out of the three, only one or two engines were that pass through this area it happened too, and only at slow speeds. Installed the ground plane and I may get a couple blinks on the weakest engine but no stops or loss of signal.

Thanks guys for all you help.

i ran some ground wire thru the yards and it is much better then it was. A few blinks as J  daddy said but no loss of signal. 

I can always depend on you guys to come up with the answer.