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How to Prevent Loco’s Stalling at Points
Jeremy model in HO and asks readers:
“Both of my engines are prone to stalling on the pointwork, or when they are moving through the loop (especially in one direction). Is there anything I can I do to rectify this problem?”
3 Responses to How to Prevent Loco’s Stalling at Points
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Sometimes the flange on the pickup wheel may be too large for the frog and lifts the loco up so that the other pickup on the same side breaks contact with the rail. Get a small file and file the plastic down at the bottom of the frog where the flange runs. Sometimes the point blade for the track not being switched to may contact the pickup wheel where the rails join at the frog creating a short circuit. File or grind the gap between those rails at the frog to give greater clearance.
Are the locos wheels and your track clean?
Do the locomotives pick up from all wheels? Are the pickups clean and working. A multi meter on ohms will test this. Check your multi meter to see how it responds to closed and open circuits. Apply the probes to each of the wheels on the same side, should have a low number. If you get a high number or OL you have a problem with the pickup or it doesn’t have a pickup on one of the wheels. Try all wheels on each side to work out how the loco picks up power. The more wheels picking up power the better the loco will run.
i have the same problem. I think your problem is that, as the previous comments say, there is probably a difference in height on the frog or that the track is just not conducting probably. check the voltage on the area where it stalls. that might be the problem.