OK thanks to all who have replied. So I spent a few minutes to confirm what I have been saying all along. This loco 20-3807-1 must have a negative from the transformer (through TIU) on the conductor side of the loco or DCS will not find it. My present layout is MTH realtrax with one MTH track lock on. As you can see from the pics...........if loco is facing the right DCS finds it. If loco is facing left DCS will not find it. Yes yes I get it that any freight car behind the loco would act as a jumper between the 2 outer ground rails. Or maybe I could tear up the layout and solder jumpers between the 2 outer rails at various locations may also solve this. Or I coiuld run this loco in only one direction with conductor side receiving the ground from the TIU.
HOWEVER.......................... what if I have no desire to tear up the layout or run in only one direction, or pull freight cars acting as ground jumpers?
Am I correct in assuming this loco should work with the 3/2 rail switch in the 3 rail position and either outer rail grounded but not both? Is it written somewhere that both outer rails must be grounded for this loco to operate? MTH's realtrax and their lockon only ground one rail.
This is still under warranty. I dont want to tear into it due to losing the warranty. If I have a connection inside the loco or a faulty 2/3 rail switch, shouldn't this go back to my dealer for a refund? I don't have anywhere to turn except for the dealer I bought it from. He is a fully authoried dealer who does not do repairs. I doubt he has extras laying aroud and I doubt he will want to do a refund.
So ............as the title of this thread asks................Do I have an issue or not with this loco? I am thinking that if this loco can't operate unless both outer rails are grounded then there is an issue. After all MTH's track system is designed with only one rail being grounded.
