Failure of Lionel Engines to proceed through certain sections of my Layout

I hope that you get some answers because the exact same thing is happening to me when I run my Lionel TMCC engines on the Paradise & Pacific RR layout which has both MTH DCS and Lionel Legacy.  I should add that not all of my Lionel TMCC engines are affected, and it even happens when I have turned off the Legacy system and run in conventional mode.

Janet (TCA and LCCA member)

I had a track problem today on a turn. I am using Fastrack, so it baffled me. I had the track partially screwed down. I fixed it by removing the screw, taking the sections apart and reconnecting them. I think the problem is that the track flexes slightly under the weight of the train and breaks the connection. I also moved the screw. The problem went away. Try using a block of wood to press on the track while you are measuring the voltage.

Hope this helps your situation.

George

maxmn_98 posted:

It seems that on my layout where both DCS, TMCC and Legacy worked harmoniously a problem has developed. The two systems are not cross connected with the MTH cable.  The Legacy and TMCC engines hit certain sections they stop or drop dead. 

A first easy step, especially on a layout where everything previously ran fine is to give the track a good cleaning.

Run an abrasive block over it, i.e. brightboy or Lionels track cleaning block. Then wipe it down with 91% ispropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol.

While your at it, make sure the wheels and pickup rollers on each engine are clean as well.

MTH engines have a battery integrated into the electronics that makes them less sensative to power dropouts from dirty track etc.

A battery can be added to Lionel locos but isn't necessary as long as the track is clean.

Atlas turnouts have been known to have "dead spots", but if things ran fine previously this probably isn't the issue.

I use the Trackman 2000 with an abrasive pad pulled behind an engine roughly every 2 weeks on the layout.  I have not used alcohol to clean the tracks. Part of the problem is Murphy's Laws. The areas that are affected are very hard to get to.  Based on your comment the abrasive pad is not abrasive enough. I'll get one and try it out bit it will be a few days before I can get to it. Thanks for the info. I will check the engine wheels and rollers to make sure their clean.

Track voltage and engine speed? Picture of spot where this occurs? Your layout is Atlas track? Which engines?

Janet, IIRC the P&P is Atlas also? Since it occurs conventionally it would have to be a power or common issue?

BobbyD posted:

Track voltage and engine speed? Picture of spot where this occurs? Your layout is Atlas track? Which engines?

Janet, IIRC the P&P is Atlas also? Since it occurs conventionally it would have to be a power or common issue?

Agree!

RickO posted:

Atlas turnouts have been known to have "dead spots", but if things ran fine previously this probably isn't the issue.

I wouldn't bet cold hard cash on that.  At least not with their N-scale Code 55 track.  Turnouts that run great one day can turn around and give you fits the next day.  Although I have no Atlas O-scale track, I would have to wonder if it can act the same at times.  

Atlas track is great, now so much the Atlas switches.