@Craftech posted:@rrman replied:
"I suspect a momentary short that happens when engine moves. Check wires to the trucks for abrasions or missing heat shrink tubing. Or a pickup rollers are unevenly round or holder warpped and touching the truck frame."
I didn't listen to him so I set up a Menards circle with O Gauge track instead of using my 027 layout and it ran flawlessly. Thinking there must be a short in my 027 layout I tore the entire thing apart and tested each section of tubular track and the Marx switches. Couldn't find the short.
So I set up lengths of 027 track and tested it a little at a time as I added track and it shorted after I set up around 3 feet of track.
So I put a 30" section of 027 against the bottom of the Menards engine and flipped the sandwich upside down and lo and behold one of the spring loaded coupler screws (phillips) was touching the center rail. It came from the factory not screwed in all the way. Screwed it in and it ran flawlessly. Apparently regular O Gauge track elevated the truck enough that the screw didn't touch the center rail. Dropped down on 027 it touched.
Oh well, I wanted to tear my layout apart anyway so this was a good excuse.
Sorry @rrman - you were right.
John
EDIT: I have been following the other posts and am not using 18v. Much lower.
One more issue with the coupler. It has far too much up and down play (mine does anyway). It doesn't line up properly with the first car behind it (tried various cars). It sits too low because of the excessive play.
If you have had a similar problem, how have you corrected it?
Thanks,
John
