I'm pretty new to the forum, and hope I am in the right place. Please direct me if I'm in the wrong place.
Need some help with a misbehaving 3 rail MTH GS4 steam locomotive that I'm using in DCS operation. The MTH locomotive is a 3-rail/2 rail version. (oh no, you say, here we go again?) This is my 1st 3/2 rail steam locomotive. I do have a 3/2 rail diesel that works flawlessly.
It is stalling on every switch, but only in one direction through a switch. Same on isolation rails. There is a very good connection between the tender, and drawbar wire. Good continuity measured between the tender frame and engine frame, both on and off the track. Excellent continuity between the locomotives and tenders pick up brushes and wheelsets.
Track voltage is 18vac, DCS signal is 10/10 on the entire layout, using star wired track sections/blocks as discussed in the DCS Companion; with 2-Z400's, one TIU and a Lionel Legacy controller connected to the TIU.
The switches are wired with an isolation rail on the inside rails of the turnouts, to automatically operate Z1000 switch machines, as noted in Ross/Z-Stuff guides. The isolation rails to operate the switches vary from 3" to about 15" in length, depending on where they are on the layout. (25 Ross switches)
All other steam locomotives in my roster with ps2/ps3 electroincs will crawl through every switch without hesitation. The locomotives that work well use a wired tether. They are 3 rail specific, not the 3/2 rail build, so all of the left and right wheels are electrically connected to pick up a ground rail at all times regardless of track isolation sections. Lionel Legacy locomotives work equally as well as the tethered ps2/ps3 locomotives thought the entire level layout.
Suggestions? Help!!!
Thanks
Brett
