Conventional Mode Issue

 Check back when you get that TMCC report as to how it works then, but in the mean time how's all your track connections....the more sing;e pieces added in to a layout the more lil voltage drops one can get...add dirty track and that doubles. I'm not saying you've got dirty track, but there might be a few loose pins/tabs that aren't solidly connected as you'd need - maybe. 

When we run a short oval carpet layout quick fun- 0-36 curves and both sides are 30" singles, I get a slow corner, which tells me on such a small set up that my tabs{fastrack} are loose and not conducting that well. 

This is with a TMCC Engine using Legacy.

On the 2nd  lap I was running too fast, but on the 1st and 3rd laps I set it at a more reasonable speed and that is when the bad slowdown in that spot happens.

Power drops are in the yard where the GG1's are and also, in the slow section right before the observation car sitting on the side, but after the manual.

Also, did you see the flash on that switch at the end of the yard?

Why does it do that at random?

By the flash that I have seen looks like you have a BAD piece of track or a real bad short

that is fixing to happen. I would take a volt tester and start checking and

what size mth transformer are you using? Problem could be there are there any switches

on this part of your layout? If there is check them a short also and yes I did see the

flash ,look's like a bad connection or bad track. Mike.

Hi Splash, yep it is happening on a Lionel Fast Track switch.

It does not do it every time. I would estimate, once in 30 passes?

Using an MTH z-1000.

chipset.

Have you checked your voltage at that one spot and what is it as to the rest of the

layout. What I would do is change that one piece of track, and do the rest of your

engines do the same if the rest of your engines do it then it has to be there. And

if you can afford it try to go with the Z-4000 by mth that small brick is really to

small for what I have seen, please try your other engines before you invest in a larger

transformer but really how many feet of track are you running on that Z-1000?

          Mike.

Chipset.

I forgot to tell you please reply I would like to help if I can.

         Mike

ok, I will put a voltmeter too it.

It is an around the room layout, whatever size a standard room is.

In that video, all the trains on sidings, had those tracks turned off via block switches.

So only the main line was drawing current.

1.  When testing for voltage drop, you must have a substantial electrical load at the point where you are testing.  An unloaded circuit will always seem fine due to the high input resistance of the meter.

2.  Have you checked the gauge of the track compared to the gauge of the wheels on your locomotives?  Maybe your Texas Special has wider spaced wheels than the PW F3s.  I recently had a problem on a Christmas layout where the outer rails were pinched together a bit in the troublesome area.

 its all Lionel Fastrack, but the cars are Williams.

Chipset.

By the film I seen it had a flash on that one piece of track. I would really replace that switch and the piece of track before I ran any of your other engines it could cause

problems with the Williams locos in their boards and in the past I have had some problems with Williams cars and engines after Bachman bought them out. When you run the test do as the other guy said POWER IT UP to around 18 volts, be sure you take all your locos off the track when you run the volt test even your block could

be leaking and causing the test not to be wright. Good luck with the test and if you

measure your room you find out you have a lot of track down for that mth Z-1000

to me it is way to small. Lot's of luck.

          Mike.

The issue of slowing down on one part of my layout as well as the flash on a switch does not occur running Legacy Engines in Legacy mode.

Chipset.

The short is still there I seen it with my own eyes!

regardless of what mode you run your layout in. If

it not to much trouble change that piece of track or

switch and see what happens .Does it only happen

when you run the Texas engines with the Williams

passenger cars? Or try it without the cars and see what

happens sometimes you just cannot mix electronics.

Keep me informed please. Mike

Its the pullmor motors slowing down through the s curve, this is typical Pullmor motor characteristics. They slow on the slightest curve or incline as they have no cruise. If you go back to your other thread on these f3s watch the video of the "pullmor powered" f3s I posted. They slow in the same manner, and the slower you run them the more they will slow down on curves.

You may have a bit of a loose track connection where the spark is occurring. This is being exacerbated by the large amount of current being draw by the dual Pullmor motors in that loco.

Ricko

I agree about the pullmor motors I owned some of the lionel engines with those motors in them, and your right but I do not know if his other engines do the same I have yet to here from him on that matter don't you agree if the other engines do the same then there is another problem?

          Mike.

So basically, Legacy is working fine because it it using a signal thru the tracks as opposed to voltage aka the way conventional uses it?

I never expected Legacy to run so smooth even over the slow section...it is like its not even there.

No spark either!

Chipset.

Yes it does.

         Mike.

I would not give pullmore such a negative review as given.  Certainly not as good as a can motor with speed control, but my early Lionel TMCC steam and diesels pull very well, can move at slow speeds, and don't significantly slow down "in the slightest curves".  I can run two on the same loop, even mix conventional and TMCC on same loop and not have issues with over running an engine.

Is LEGACY better? Sure, but if you are having an issue with Pullmore, I would look at maintenance of the engine and motor.  G

I can only tell you that TMCC has the only issues on my layout.

Both MTH DCS and Lionel Legacy run perfect.

Is it the combo of the Pullmor motors and Legacy/TMCC?

Even my vintage pullmor locos run better than the new ones...but obviously in conventional mode only, which still has curve issues.