Evening all,
Looking for some advice on a couple of problems that are plaguing three 3rd Rail engines I own and am trying to get operating.
I'll preface by saying I'm not the original owner of these locomotives. They've been purchased over the past few years, but up to now, haven't been run on my layout. Other engines operate fine on the layout - TMCC, Legacy, DCS - so definitly not a layout issue.
Attempting to operate these locomotives using the Legacy system. All are programmed as TMCC engines.
The first is a CB&Q O-5.
In short I can get the locomotive to power up, get programmed, and all the functions appear to operate correctly (whistle, bell, crew talk, couple firing, etc.). However, locomotive will not move when the throttle is advanced, either forward or backward. I don't even hear the motor "powering up" - more to come on that below with the other issue.
However, what will happen when the throttle is advanced, perhaps 1/5 of the way, is that whistle will start to sound continuously. I have to throttle back down to quiet it, or else turn the volume down.
I've attempted a reset of the TMCC board <AUX 1> <8>, etc. and a couple of other <AUX 1> <X> commands. No joy.
Any thoughts where to troubleshoot next?
The 2nd issue is different than above, but is curious in that it is effecting two locomotives the same way.
I have qty 2 3rd Rail SP 2-10-2 F-Series locomotives. Again, both purchased 2nd hand many, many months apart.
The issue is that both exhibit a very audible motor buzz as the throttle is being dialed up. In addition, most won't move until the throttle is dialed up 1/5 to 1/4 of the way, and even then its staggered an sluggish. Engines may move for about 5-8sec, then stall until throttle is dialed up a bit more. Once throttle is >1/4 of the way up, engines will eventually get going - but as a result will only run a high(er) speeds. Not hearing any binding of the gearing. I actually removed the gearbox cover on one to disengage the motor and was able to more the drivers freely. One engine operates slightly better than other but, neither is ideal.
So I'm suspecting either faulty TMCC commands, or perhaps, bad motors. I'm suspecting bad motors in that it both locomotives were built at the same time, and perhaps constructed with a faulty batch of motors?)
Thoughts on this one?
I shot videos of both SP engines, posted temporarily to youtube for troubleshooting purposes. Videos will be removed.
Thanks in advance!
Regards
- Joe
