3rd Rail engine won't move.

when trying to run in conventional is it on a track where no TMCC is present?

No other engine is on the track in conventional mode.  Isn't it also odd that the sound should come on instantly before a TMCC signal is issued or not.

Thank you for your quick response.

You didn't specify what engine you have but many 3rd Rail engines have a conventional/TMCC switch.  You might check the switch to see what position it is in.

Make sure the program switch is not on.

Scott Smith

 Its seem the engine is starting in conventional since the sounds start up without being addressed. Since we don't know what engine you have, I think you should try a reprogram as found here

http://www.lionel.com/ForTheHo...oreTMCCfunctions.pdf

Bill

In all likely hood it is an antena problem. BF 

Thanx to all for responding.  The 3rd Rail engine is a NP Z5 yellowstone. It's definately in the run mode.  I will check for the TMCC/conventional switch and also try to reprogram the engine as requested.

I see this all the time. I bought this from somebody, He tested it before he sent it, I received it and now it dosen't work! The first thing to do is take the cover off and check all the boards and connections. These things get bounced around in shipping and things get knocked loose.

Al

Sas.... has the right idea.   Usually these TMCC installs involve the tender shell being isolated/insulated from the Tender base.  In most cases there are (4 or 6) connecting points that are insulated. If the shell metal touches the base the antenna is not working. This is indicated by the locomotive sounds coming on when track power is applied (up conventional).  This could easily happen when packing or shipping the unit, explaining why it worked before shipping but not now.

You may also want to check the tether, to be sure it is seated properly. Unplug and plug it in again.  Directional lighting working would indicate we have antenna function but no power to the motors from the control board (Check tether, which was unplug to ship).

I apologize for not responding sooner.  I decided to remove the tender shell and look inside. Well, what do you know, a board was loose, completely off it's pins.  I reinserted it and the engine came to life.  Chuffs perfectly and the synchronized smoke is a joy to behold (little dramatic here).

This engine was shipped to me wrapped perfectly, matter of fact it looked like it was never unwrapped from the board (Sunset wrapping technique).

Of all the engines shipped to me over the years, I never encountered a loose board.

This Sunset Z5 is a beast of a "yellowstone" type and the detail must be seen to believe.

Thank you Nick!

Are you sure this is not a qsi engine.

It's a TMCC engine.  All Z5's were TMCC, at least the 3 rail versions were.

2 rail may have been QSI.

Actually the QSI sound board has more features than the generic TMCC railsounds 4.

Thanx everyone for your responses.

Got a K-line/Weaver USRA 4-6-2 w/TMCC a few years ago; ran fine - no sounds at all.

Picked up tender again - a rattle. Opened it up, and the RS board fell out of the

tender. Seated it on the motherboard and all was well.

Sometimes it is an easy fix. Sometimes. 

Since I run conventionally, I don't usually check this sub-forum.

When I got my new 3rd Rail T-3 back in January, the sounds came up as soon as the power was applied and the lights worked correctly.  However, the engine would not move.  In my case, the tender plug just wasn't seating correctly into the female plug on the engine.  Once I got the plug to seat correctly, everything worked great!