Running in new Locos without a loop of track

[halsey]

Hi,

 

A simple question asked in anticipation of a complicated answer!

 

My mini DCC 009 "yard" that I am just completing on my 00 layout (for more info see "Hawkesbury") is working electrically OK BUT my new Bachmann Baldwin Loco is quite jerky and stops very intermittently on a straight run of track for no apparent reason (and it seems to be "bleeping" when it does this) and then it will only run again if I push the red stop button and then restart, I am using a tried and tested Gaugemaster DCC controller which works fine with my 00 use.

 

I am guessing that the loco needs running in BUT how do I do that when my 009 layout isn't a loop??

 

All/anyadvice appreciated

 

J

[Paul H Vigor]

6 hours ago, halsey said:

Hi,

 

A simple question asked in anticipation of a complicated answer!

 

My mini DCC 009 "yard" that I am just completing on my 00 layout (for more info see "Hawkesbury") is working electrically OK BUT my new Bachmann Baldwin Loco is quite jerky and stops very intermittently on a straight run of track for no apparent reason (and it seems to be "bleeping" when it does this) and then it will only run again if I push the red stop button and then restart, I am using a tried and tested Gaugemaster DCC controller which works fine with my 00 use.

 

I am guessing that the loco needs running in BUT how do I do that when my 009 layout isn't a loop??

 

All/anyadvice appreciated

 

J

I bought sufficient n-gauge set track curves to form a circle, when required. When not in use these track sections live in a box!

[SR71]

1 minute ago, Paul H Vigor said:

I bought sufficient n-gauge set track curves to form a circle, when required. When not in use these track sections live in a box!

 

If doing this the engine should be physically turned around on the track half way through. I got asked to look at a loco that had been used on a circle of track at shows but was running funny. Turning it over it had worn to the curve such that the axles were no longer parallel!

 

That won't happen just during running in but to get the best results it shows that curves do have an impact even in miniature and so make sure it's run in evenly.

[Paul H Vigor]

7 minutes ago, SR71 said:

 

If doing this the engine should be physically turned around on the track half way through. I got asked to look at a loco that had been used on a circle of track at shows but was running funny. Turning it over it had worn to the curve such that the axles were no longer parallel!

 

That won't happen just during running in but to get the best results it shows that curves do have an impact even in miniature and so make sure it's run in evenly.

I only ever use it for running-in locos - which get turned regularly. Your point certainly raises issues re these popular roundy-roundy 'pizza' layouts? 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Paul H Vigor
to add information

[Pete the Elaner]

6 hours ago, halsey said:

 

I am guessing that the loco needs running in BUT how do I do that when my 009 layout isn't a loop??

 

 

Use an N gauge rolling road.

[halsey]

8 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said:

 

Use an N gauge rolling road.

 

THANKS for this - I was reluctant to do this for a specific 009 loco BUT have just seen that the DCC RR (DCM RRA4) is multi purpose so I will order one unless there are other recommendations .........

J

[PaulRhB]

15 hours ago, halsey said:

my new Bachmann Baldwin Loco is quite jerky and stops very intermittently on a straight run of track for no apparent reason (and it seems to be "bleeping" when it does this) and then it will only run again if I push the red stop button and then restart, 

 

J

Is it a feedback controller?  The coreless motors don’t like feedback controllers it appears so that might be a reason if it’s causing it to overheat? It could explain the bleeping if it’s high frequency noise from the motor?

[halsey]

12 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Is it a feedback controller?  The coreless motors don’t like feedback controllers it appears so that might be a reason if it’s causing it to overheat? It could explain the bleeping if it’s high frequency noise from the motor?

 

Its a Prodigy 2 but I'm not aware of any overheating or is that what you are saying is the source of the "bleeping"?

[PaulRhB]

3 minutes ago, halsey said:

 

Its a Prodigy 2 but I'm not aware of any overheating or is that what you are saying is the source of the "bleeping"?

Ok that won’t be a problem then, is the beeping from the loco? I assume it’s the Zimo chip in the engine?

[halsey]

10 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Ok that won’t be a problem then, is the beeping from the loco? I assume it’s the Zimo chip in the engine?

 

I actually don't know what the chip is as it was fitted by TMC before delivery - I will ask them.

[PaulRhB]

12 minutes ago, halsey said:

 

I actually don't know what the chip is as it was fitted by TMC before delivery - I will ask them.

I only asked as I had issues with certain chips in Heljan locos but I’ve got two Baldwins and no issues with Zimo chips in them. Just trying to eliminate some things  

[Pete the Elaner]

15 minutes ago, halsey said:

 

I actually don't know what the chip is as it was fitted by TMC before delivery - I will ask them.

 

Does the Prodigy read manufacturer codes?

It is not a very recent document but I've attached a list of manufacturer codes. I expect you can find a more current one somewhere on the net.

 

Decoder manufacturers.pdf

[halsey]

29 minutes ago, Pete the Elaner said:

 

Does the Prodigy read manufacturer codes?

It is not a very recent document but I've attached a list of manufacturer codes. I expect you can find a more current one somewhere on the net.

 

Decoder manufacturers.pdf 56.66 kB · 0 downloads

 

I've asked TMC

[halsey]

Update

 

DCC rolling road now ordered and found out that the decoder is a DCC Zen N18.4 - DCD-ZNN18.4

 

I will provide more info once the RR has arrived and the loco has done some running - also wheels don't look that clean so the RR will help with that as well.

 

Thanks

 

J

[PaulRhB]

It will be interesting as I’ve had a couple of issues with the Gaugemaster rebadged DCCconcepts in certain locos so I tend to stay with Zimo now. 

[halsey]

36 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

It will be interesting as I’ve had a couple of issues with the Gaugemaster rebadged DCCconcepts in certain locos so I tend to stay with Zimo now. 

 

All my OO locos are Zimo - this was their standard DCC fitted package deal at TMC 

 

Time will tell - I have just run the full track length incl 7 turnouts this morning at speed setting 4 and no issues apart from slightly lumpy running (and I am fussy!).

 

J

Edited November 13, 2021 by halsey

[halsey]

Sorry for the delay in reporting back but WOW what a result - I had no idea about rolling roads (apart from those in an earlier life running in 600BHP TVR's!).

 

This is a great piece of kit - a bit like TVR's its a bit expensive for what it is - but it has solved my problem and is very easy to use.

 

I can't quite see how these can be good for wheel cleaning as any pressure on the wheels pushes the loco off the rollers but perhaps there are some of you out there with solutions to this???

 

Also an obvious benefit is that you can run the layout whilst running in temperamental stock "on the side".

 

Cheers for now.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2021 by halsey

[halsey]

AND - another benefit is that I can now set up DCC CV settings much better and more importantly understand their impact without the loco concerned running around the track away from me.

 

J

[halsey]

My latest 009 "Baldwin" arrived over the weekend and very nearly went straight back is it just wouldn't run BUT 48 hrs later with a bit of initial coaxing it is now running really well - why didn't I buy one of these RRs sooner - IMHO an absolute must for any rail modeller - thanks again Pete for the tip.