I have M track also with 3 way, curved and regular turnouts. The problem may be with the pickup shoe (slider) being bent or set too low.

Hi from Oz,
If it happens with more than one loco it may not be the sliders. It is the most common cause of trouble but if you were running older locos the wheels can be a little thick as was the case with an older Hag loco I ran. I only saw the problem when I ran it in near dark and could see the shorting on the wheel. As John suggests also make sure the wheels are at the correct separation on their axles. Good luck!
Regards,
Howard.

Hello Mark

Its been many years since I have used Marklin AC analogue, but it seems to me that there should be no voltage loss when a loco passes from one one power supply to another unless the power supplied to the track is out of phase, This will cause a short circuit and cause the loco to stop as you describe.

If this is the problem, it can be solved by simply removing the power supply wires from their sockets on one of the transformers. and reversing them. I had this problem many years ago when I first used two transformers to power a layout.

Regards
Geoff

Märklin makes (made) just what you need, Märklin 385550, a small hump that is installed between track sections to lift the slider, to prevent it from contacting both supply circuits at the same time.

There was a brief discussion about it in 2004.

https://www.marklin-user...f_postsm1245_385550.aspx

You can check the polarity of your two transformers by taking a 16v bulb and touching the center rail (stud) on each side where you insolated between the two transformers. If it burns bright you have to turn the plug around. This is explained in the old Marklin handbook. Hope this helps.

There is no reason that it can not be used in full analog operation as a safeguard against transformers being out of phase. It will not have any detrimental effects, unless using a double pickup construct, where the pickups are not isolated from each other. In the past I have used the 'K' track versions on analog layouts that I have helped construct. Unless the plugs are removed from the AC power cord and replaced by polarized plugs, or hardwired together, it is an inexpensive protection measure. As the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure."

Plugs can always get accidentally disconnected, and unpolarized plugs can be plugged back in "OUT OF PHASE", without realizing it, so why not a little added protection?

Rodger

WOW!

I'm overwhelmed by the generosity by replies and advise of my fellow forum members! I truly appreciate all of your efforts to help me solve the problem! Thank you!

So the problem is solved! I tricked myself. I have three (3) transformers. One of the transformers is out of phase... Duh!

I didn't carry out the simple light bulb test.

Hello again Tom,


Me too : the old MML and dial-up.

I recall your technical days with Telecom, but did not know of the second half of your life with 1:1 trains, I am intrigued by a career change more characteristic in recent times of the "Y generation" (but it seems an annual change with them)

If I may so bold to ask (don't hesitate to invite me to mind my own business) what, in more detail, did the last 27 years in "full size trains" involve?

Regards,

Philip

Maybe this should be placed in the NMR section of who we are ? I'll let the mod's decide.



Hi PJ ;


MIND YOUR OWN BUISNESS .

Nah just kidding .


After starting in the old PMG as a trainee telephone tech in 1965 I spent the rest of my phone life in the Sydney CBD on exchange maintenance , PABX maint , Subs maint I decided that as I wasn't going to get a transfer to closer to my area of living in the Blue Mtns west of Sydney & usually about a 90 minute train journey each way I saw a ad in the paper for trainee engine drivers , Applied & got the job started in 1988 January & spent the next 15 yrs on freight haulage based at Lithgow which was only 45 to 50 minutes travel by car from home . We mainly hauled coal but also general freight & the occasional wheat train as most of these went via the south or hunter valley lines to the north . When the Government decided to sell all freight transport off to so called private enterprise {Corrigian & his Cahoots ] & Lithgow depot had started to wind down due to cut backs on freight handling leaving just coal haulage for the depot . I transferred to City rail ,did a bridging course & took up on suburban services based in Sydney for 3 years before being allowed to transfer to the Interurbans at Mt Victoria which was only 15 minutes from home . Did that for 4 years then some how they lost my medical papers which we had to have up dated every year so I sat at home for almost 3 months on full pay when I saw a ad for a English mob Freightliner who were after drivers for coal haulage in the Hunter Valley , Applied & welcomed with open arms as they had just started in Australia & were after staff . I stayed with them for 4 years ending up as a Driver Trainer . Rail work has it's up's & down's but I would consider it the best job in the world , seeing the country , change of seasons , what farms are growing , good work mates , & a reasonably good pay for the work involved [ 6 figure bracket - not as good as West Oz iron ore haulage but still very good ] . A few problems with the passenger side where you have to attend to the local idiots who want to trash trains etc & the occasional suicide incident [ I had 3 ] where the average driver would have maybe 5 or 6 if they stayed on the passenger services over their working life .



This is just a very short look at the life of being a train driver & I know there are a few others on here who are or have been in the 1/1 size of trains also.





Cheers Tom in Oz