The College Kid Layout Building Saga - End?

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After a long while I am resurrecting the layout thread. I am finally getting back and starting up the layout. I have moved the layout across state lines since I have graduated from my undergrad program and now am waiting to start my graduate school program. I have been running trains a bit but the layout has become a bit stale. The simple loop of track is now coming to bite me. I am thinking about making upgrades but first I have to get some of the track issues out of the way. Before ballasting the track on the layout and gluing it all down the track had no issues but some issues have sprung up. I need some help figuring out these issues. I have no idea how to solve these issues so to the forum I must consult.


Here is a video of a few trains running around the layout. The yellow tape shows the sections where the slow downs and speed ups happen. I have checked the jointers and all of that jazz and nothing seems to be wrong but something is going wrong. I don't really want to get anything new for the layout so I would like to work with what I have. Any tips help.
 


Smudge617 said:
Nice to see you back on the forum.

Usually, the slowing down is caused by a couple of things, dirty track and/or dirty wheels on the loco, also as you've moved this across state lines some track joiners may have worked loose or the main track connection.
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I have been having some of these issues before the whole move so it really isn't anything new. It really comes down to the same few spots on the layout. I have now cleaned all of the track with Isopropyl Alcohol and some spots are running better but others became worst. weird
 
catnippertom said:
I have been having some of these issues before the whole move so it really isn't anything new. It really comes down to the same few spots on the layout. I have now cleaned all of the track with Isopropyl Alcohol and some spots are running better but others became worst. weird
Click to expand...
I would say the next best thing to try is cleaning the locomotive wheels as @Smudge617 suggested.
 


catnippertom said:
I have been having some of these issues before the whole move so it really isn't anything new. It really comes down to the same few spots on the layout. I have now cleaned all of the track with Isopropyl Alcohol and some spots are running better but others became worst. weird
Click to expand...
When cleaning my track it is just not the top but a bit of the inside rail. The wheel flange can also help make contact. It is possible you moved the dirt or dust around a little rather than removing it altogether.

I usually go around the track multiple times if I have problems. I usually use something like an old t-shirt wrapped around a small block of wood, wetted with the isopropyl. When dirty marks appear, I rearrange a bit so clean cloth is inb contact.

Congrads on your graduation and hopeful for your future!

Dave LASM
 
GuilfordRailman said:
I would say the next best thing to try is cleaning the locomotive wheels as @Smudge617 suggested.
Click to expand...
Track is all cleaned up and I have heavily serviced all of my locomotives to get them running like new, thus all of their wheels have been cleaned. I am almost positive it is an electrical issue with the rail jointers. I am having trouble figuring out how to fix that issue.
 
catnippertom said:
Track is all cleaned up and I have heavily serviced all of my locomotives to get them running like new, thus all of their wheels have been cleaned. I am almost positive it is an electrical issue with the rail jointers. I am having trouble figuring out how to fix that issue.
Click to expand...
It’s a possibility that glue got between the rails and joiners affecting the electrical current. However, I have had glue end up in between and the electrical current was not hindered in any way. Worth a shot to try and clean those up somehow if you can. Unfortunately the only way I know how is to pull up the track! Best to get some other input before you do that.
 
catnippertom said:
Track is all cleaned up and I have heavily serviced all of my locomotives to get them running like new, thus all of their wheels have been cleaned. I am almost positive it is an electrical issue with the rail jointers. I am having trouble figuring out how to fix that issue.
Click to expand...
I use a needle nose pliers or small screwdriver and push the joiner back and forth a little then maybe squeeze it a little tighter.
 
For inquiring minds, here is the update.

20240629_180610.jpg
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20240701_222043.jpg


I ended up ripping up this one section of track. I noticed the trains were always stalling at this joiner so I ripped it up. In the process I ripped up the plastic Atlas ties that the rails were holding onto(Uh oh). So I went and made my own ties with some spare Dollar Tree wood I had lying around. I painted them up and glued em down. It may look odd in this one section and part of me thinks I should've gone black to match the rest of the ties but what the heck, this section has a bit of realism to it I guess. Anyway this fixed the issues I have been having with the layout. It also gave me some time to spruce up the scene a bit and I am happy I did it.

I also made a quick video of a train running on the layout in celebration of this remodeled section being done. Check it out:


Final thing to note, my summer job hunt has been abysmal but I am going to apply to the local hobby shop. I want to see how well I do being around trains all of the time. Hopefully I can get something there and continue to learn more about the hobby. If not, then the hunt continues. Like always, any feedback, tips or tricks are always welcome! Excited to see what you have to say.
 
catnippertom said:
For inquiring minds, here is the update.

View attachment 193014View attachment 193015View attachment 193016View attachment 193017View attachment 193018

I ended up ripping up this one section of track. I noticed the trains were always stalling at this joiner so I ripped it up. In the process I ripped up the plastic Atlas ties that the rails were holding onto(Uh oh). So I went and made my own ties with some spare Dollar Tree wood I had lying around. I painted them up and glued em down. It may look odd in this one section and part of me thinks I should've gone black to match the rest of the ties but what the heck, this section has a bit of realism to it I guess. Anyway this fixed the issues I have been having with the layout. It also gave me some time to spruce up the scene a bit and I am happy I did it.

I also made a quick video of a train running on the layout in celebration of this remodeled section being done. Check it out:


Final thing to note, my summer job hunt has been abysmal but I am going to apply to the local hobby shop. I want to see how well I do being around trains all of the time. Hopefully I can get something there and continue to learn more about the hobby. If not, then the hunt continues. Like always, any feedback, tips or tricks are always welcome! Excited to see what you have to say.
Click to expand...
Very well done, that's looking impressive. What did you use to keep the track on your improvised rail ties ?
 
catnippertom said:
For inquiring minds, here is the update.

View attachment 193014View attachment 193015View attachment 193016View attachment 193017View attachment 193018

I ended up ripping up this one section of track. I noticed the trains were always stalling at this joiner so I ripped it up. In the process I ripped up the plastic Atlas ties that the rails were holding onto(Uh oh). So I went and made my own ties with some spare Dollar Tree wood I had lying around. I painted them up and glued em down. It may look odd in this one section and part of me thinks I should've gone black to match the rest of the ties but what the heck, this section has a bit of realism to it I guess. Anyway this fixed the issues I have been having with the layout. It also gave me some time to spruce up the scene a bit and I am happy I did it.

I also made a quick video of a train running on the layout in celebration of this remodeled section being done. Check it out:


Final thing to note, my summer job hunt has been abysmal but I am going to apply to the local hobby shop. I want to see how well I do being around trains all of the time. Hopefully I can get something there and continue to learn more about the hobby. If not, then the hunt continues. Like always, any feedback, tips or tricks are always welcome! Excited to see what you have to say.
Click to expand...

Great job! I really like the way you did the playground :)
 


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