Loco suddenly stops

[Taxidad1]

HI all .. I have an N gauge loco that runs fine on DCC in either direction, but going forward after completing one and half circuits of the track will suddenly stop on the track and emits a low level sound as if the gears are stuck. In reverse it runs very happily for unlimited number of circuits, with no stopping or loss of connectivity. The track is getting its power, the pick ups are fine. It just randomly stops in the forward direction even if I turn the loco around. Any suggestions or should I just go back to the shop I purchased it from (about two months ago). As I'm just starting out its my only loco.

[Brian]

Hi
Guessing ...
A) The decoder is failing in one direction - Forward.
or
B) Something is binding on the loco in forward mode causing the decoders overload to operate

Are you able to test the loco on DC with the decoder removed and the DC operation blanking plug fitted?

[Steve M]

I would suspect that either the valve gear is binding or catching - steam loco only. Or it could be a bit of fluff or grit in the gears connecting the motor to the driving wheels. Some Farish locos had a tendency to split the gears which would cause a similar issue.

[Taxidad1]

Thanks to Great Eastern Model Railway in Norwich- they have replaced the loco like for like and will be sending the original back for repair. Yes it seems there valve gear was sticking in forward motion and your suggestions helped pin down the cause. Thank you so much. You can see the new loco running smoothly on my You Tube channel here

https://youtu.be/N5IAzJFxjdc

[Chops]

Ah hah. Another DCC mystery solved. And all this time I was thinking it was the reverse refurbication spindle factorization under the DRAVZXV# allotment. Thank you for clearing that up.

I swear DCC was invented for people that love untangling Gordian Knots or solving Rubic Cubes. The latter is probably easier.

[RAF96]

Rubiks Cube - once upon a lifetime ago I could solve it behind my back in a couple of minutes. Nowadays I cannot even comprehend the instructions I still have.

[Walkingthedog]

If it was behind your back how did you know when to stop when you had solved it.

[RAF96]

If it was behind your back how did you know when to stop when you had solved it.

Counted the moves.

[Walkingthedog]

Blimey is there no end to your talent.

[RAF96]

There is definitely no talent at my end.