varying loco speed

[UP6936]

For a while now, locos have been slowing down a bit when they enter a particular section of the layout. Then about 3-4 feet later they speed up again. The slow section starts at a set pf points. Any idea what could be causing it? I am running standard DC control if that is important

[heirflick]

feel silly stating the obvious, but is that section of rails dirty?

[201bhoy]

feel silly stating the obvious, but is that section of rails dirty?

 

I've had the same problem, but I thought that dirtiness would have made the train stop and start, rather than just slowing it down?

[UP6936]

That section gets cleaned as often as the rest. I will give it a wee extra clean though and see if anything happens

[Broithe]

Dodgy fishplates? Try bridging the rail joints with a wire whilst the loco is on the track and see if you get a speed variation..

 

Are you using the point blades as electrical switches? They can be a bit iffy - try bending up the little bits that wipe on the bottom of the moving blades to make the connection better..

[UP6936]

Cleanin didnt do any good unfortunately

[heirflick]

are they hornby points? had several problems in the past with slow speed, shuddering and stopping on them. changed to peco and the problem was solved.

[Broithe]

The point blade contacts are often a bit iffy - this pictures shows the sort of thing I mean..

 

[UP6936]

Yep it's a hornby. It's been in use for at least ten years now, and in noticeably worse condition than all my other points, I may just replace it

[heirflick]

Yep it's a hornby. It's been in use for at least ten years now, and in noticeably worse condition than all my other points, I may just replace it

 

keep us posted.

[ttc0169]

Yep it's a hornby. It's been in use for at least ten years now, and in noticeably worse condition than all my other points, I may just replace it

 

Replace them with some PECO points as those Hornby ones tend to wear out, fit some new fishplates and you will notice a difference in running also.

[UP6936]

Can you get peco points that are the same size as hornby ones?

[Dave]

Can you get peco points that are the same size as hornby ones?

 

Yes you can, go for the electrofrog points as they are better for slow running across them.

[UP6936]

Okay thanks, I will have a look at them over the weekend

[UP6936]

Update:

After testing various locomotives over the section of track, it seemed to just be affecting one particular new loco, but it is now running well also, so it must have been that the loco wasn't run in properly yet.

[heirflick]

thats good news for you....and your pocket!!

[UP6936]

Certainly is!

[spudfan]

Check that there is no ballast getting between the contact wiper and the underside of the rail. Use an opened out paper clip to clean the space under the rail where the contact wiper goes in. Bent the contact wiper up slightly to give better contact with the underside of the rail. Check all fishplates are tight.

[UP6936]

Thanks for the tip spudfan, thankfully all is well again, but I will try that if problems arise again