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Reply to "Lionel Legacy System sent to Lionel for repairs and I need a back up."

Folks:  My problems with the legacy/tmcc signals continue and I think I have found a fix at least on my layout.  I hope that this helps those of you that are having problems with signal interference.  First of all,  according to a post on these pages someone recommended Mike Reagan's excellent video on signal strength basics.  I could not find a working video on Lionel's site but I found it on YouTube. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ-hiIvPxVs.  His video is simple and to the point.  I now understand what is going on.  My layout is multilevel and also has parallel tracks.  The problem is signal interference and too much signal.  As Mike explained, instead of 60 CPS radio signal, you can get multiples (120,180 etc.).  The solution is make ground planes between the interfering tracks.  This could be done with insulated wires run between and connected to a simple ground such as the screw holding an outlet plate.

I opted to use Shaper Sheets which is a product that you can use to make mountainous terrain. I needed to put scenery here anyway.   It is gauze like sheets lined with a relatively thick aluminum foil.  You crumple it and it holds its shape. Then you can paint and put scenery on top.  I also used some special conductive copper tape that is sticky but even the stickum is conductive.  I put together 3 X 18 " sheets using the instructions of shaper sheets but had to use the tape to connect to make sure that there was continuity.  I placed this material in between the parallel tracks ( A big pain in the...) and I connected an insulated ground wire that was stripped down maybe three inches and attached that end to the Shaper Sheets.  I used the conductive tape to attach the wire.  I ran the wire to a close by outlet and attached the stripped other end to the outlet screw.  It is a lot easier to do this before you lay the track and if you plan on making multilevel layouts with close/parallel tracks, you may want to plan ahead.

Well folks, I used my N&W J 611 TMCC engine, which is very sensitive to signal interference problems.  This engine was stalling with lights flickering every time in the troubled area.  Now there is no stalling and no problems even down to step 2 (TMCC).  My journey has been a long one and I hope that I've reached a successful end.  Remember I had my ZW-L repaired and the Legacy Base/Cab-2 as well.  Again, thanks to Lionel for honoring the lifetime warranty. Each time I noticed improvements, but the problem never completely went away.  I hope that this is it for me and that this post will help others with signal interference problems.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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