Track Power Problems

[charlie873]

Hello Everyone, Just wondering if anyone can help me. I've recently got my train set back from my parents house and i've not seen it for over 20 years. I've cleaned the track with a track rubber, but the loco's seem very reluctant to move. not sure if it's the old track or if the loco's need servicing? Also, there's sparks coming from the wheels when they do move, any idea's what could cause this?
Cheers,
Charlie :confused:

[travellingmatt]

There are two main issues that could lead to this set of symptoms:

1) The wheels/pickups on the locos are also dirty, and need to be cleaned.
2) The motors are drawing too much current due to internal problems such as bad commutators/brushes, or burned windings. This leads to heavier currents, and lack of power in the motor. It can lead to sparking and also to the power pack failing to provide enough current to move the loco, ( or even failure of the controller entirely)

Of the two, dirty wheels is the most likely.

Hope that helps.

Matt

[charlie873]

Thanks Matt, that would explain why the shunter moves around better than the others. I'll try cleaning all the wheels and getting the loco's serviced before i go out and buy all new track.