Four Bridges

[andy757]

Over the months I have come to the conclusion that buying 2nd hand models (DCC sound) is probably not worth it.

At the moment, the Class 33, one of the Class 66's and the latest Class 47 are off the layout and need repairs. The Class 33 went straight to the guy who repairs my models for me soon after I bought it and when I got it back, it ran for about 10 minutes then the motor started to make a whining sound, so it's back in the box awaiting further work.

The Class 66 runs and has great sound, lights work etc but after about 2 circuits of the layout it just dies. If I power off the layout and on again, the 66 runs again - then dies.

The Class 47 arrived last Friday. I worked out the address is 365 (no clues in the box) and although the sound is great, likes work etc it won't move. I contacted the guy who sold it to me and he replied asking "have you cleaned the pick ups". Now when someone advertises a model that "is very lightly used", I would have assumed that it would run but run it will not. So now that too has to go to the repair guy too.

So by the time I add the postage and repair costs over the months, I probably would have been better off buying new.

New Years resolution. Invest in brand new models only

[Chris]

that is unfortunate but always a risk of second hand, I guess 'little used' could be as bad as used daily as how recently has he run it for any length of time, it may just be stiff grease and simple and cheap to fix, hopefully.

[andy757]

Mark from "Marks Trains" is coming over between Xmas and New Year (the boredom period - his words not mine) and will take a look at the Class 33, 66 and latest Class 47. He thinks the 47 has a wire lose or has come off in transit. The Class 33 wheels (taken from a Class 128) apparently have a slightly different gearing hence the whining noise. The replacement Class 33 wheels he ordered in October have finally arrived so he will swap them over, and hopefully that loco will be back up and running.

Yesterday I started to wire up the points to my new panel. The first 5 went without a hitch. Point 6, well, the point throws in one direction only. I tested the motor off the point and it's throwing both ways so has to be the point. I then manually threw the point and it moves in both directions without any problem. Put the motor back onto the point and it throws in one direction only. I changed the motor for another, same problem so it must surely be the point?

It has worked fine previously so am a bit stuck but for now, I'll crack on and wire in the others and return to this one later.

[Steve M]

I’m not sure which point motors you are using as you have mentioned surface mounted and PM2 elsewhere in the thread. As you say the troublesome motor is under the board, is it a Seep?
If it is then the problem is almost certainly one of alignment - Seeps must be perfectly centred, exactly at right angles to the track and not screwed down too tight.

[andy757]

I am using Gaugemaster PM20's throughout, except one which is a SEEP PM1 fitted under the board. That one is fine. The troublesome one is a PM20.

[Steve M]

I’ve not used those,but they are similar to the Peco version. Alignment can be an issue with those as well.
Try holding it in place with your finger so you can move it around while testing it - you may find that a slight repositioning of the motor makes all the difference.

[andy757]

It is odd because so far, the other 12 points wired in are working perfectly. I have added a drop of glue to the motor arm that connects to the point lever as I suspect it is possibly jumping off when the switch is selected. Because of the distance, I cannot throw the switch and watch what is happening at the point locally.

I will try the point again once the glue has dried.

[andy757]

I tested the motor on another point and it works fine so the problem appears to be the point. When I move the problem point by hand it is fine but as soon as the motor is connected, the point won't move.

I will buy another point and see how I get on.

[andy757]

Finally fixed the point problem. It was simply an alignment issue. I say simply......

Anyway, for now, all points are wired in and the next batch will be done when I start to build the new fiddle yard extension in January.

Some photo updates here https://www.flickr.com/photos/16113522@ ... 412493020/

and here https://www.flickr.com/photos/16113522@ ... 412493020/ and here https://www.flickr.com/photos/16113522@ ... 412493020/

[Mr Bones]

Coming along nicely. What make are the platforms? Was the track laid to fit the platforms or were the platforms made to fit the gaps?