Check here for Tips on running and maintaining your model
railroad.
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Storage
We recommend the following for long and short term storage of
electric trains.
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Wrap unboxed items in newsprint (blank), butcher paper, or a thick layer
of white paper towels. Avoid printed newspaper or any colored
paper as the inks and dyes can run if moisture forms and ruin the paint
and decals of your models.
-
Place wrapped items and/or outer carton in a plastic storage box.
This will prevent garage floods and attic leaks from soaking a cardboard
box and rusting any metal parts. This is especially important for
owners of tinplate trains as water damage can happen even in year-to-year
storage.
Maintenance
Easy Track Cleaning- Use green Scotch pad type scrub sponge (dry)
to clean that dirty track. Works especially well on the larger gauges.
Never
use steel wool on track. It creates tiny gouges that fill with
dirt and never come clean. Use rubbing alcohol or liquid track cleaning
solution to clean really dirty track.
Trouble Shooting Guide
Problem: Sputtering
loco, stops and starts, hesitates and speeds up
Solution:
-
Thoroughly clean track
-
Use a pencil eraser or track cleaning eraser to clean
wheels
of loco and tender (if applicable)
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If problem persists and other locos run fine on the
same track service loco (see: loco maintenance)
Problem: Loco
stops or slows down in the same spot on the track frequently
Solution: Track
problem
-
Thoroughly clean section of track
-
Check for "dead spots" a bad track connector or glue
from scenery can disrupt power flow.
-
If problem persists track may be too large for the
size of transformer/power pack. If the problem section is at the opposite
end of layout from transformer/power pack, invest in a more powerful unit,
use less track or run a second set of wires from the transformer/power
pack to the problem section. Note: when running two sets of wires
DO NOT CROSS WIRES. Label or color code wires so that each rail is
linked to only ONE post on your transformer/power pack.
Problem: Street
lights & other accessories are dim or move slowly,
Solution: Transformer/power
pack problem
There are too many items drawing power. Invest
in more powerful transformer/power pack or buy an inexpensive unit and
use it only for accessories while a second one more powerful unit runs
the trains.
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