The pick up shoe can produce some noise that can appear to be high pitched. It may be worth checking the spring pressure on the pickup shoe, there is a diagram in the pamphlet that comes with the coaches that shoes the correct position for the shoe.

Also if the shoe has 'vibration' marks in the wear pattern where it has rubbed the track studs then it is probably worth replacing it as this exacerbates any tendency for the shoe to make noise.

As to the behaviour of the signals, it could be that the vibrations of the pickup shoe on the coach is creating an interference signal that is interfering with the signal decoders, and causing them to think there is a message on the track that is changing the state of the signal.

Thanks for replying kiwiAlan and others.

For the record: It's an "electrical" squealing similar to the sound when an MFX decoder is read for the first time. The squealing sounds in sequences of aprox 5. There is about 10 seconds between each sequence. The " squealing rythm" matches the blinking of the signals, and it also appears even when the wagons are stopped. I suspect the interior lightning for inteferring with the track power, but I am not sure if this is a valid theory, or how to remedy.

BR

Anders

Anders:

Which model number are your Rheingold coaches? There were several editions of the 4228. There were sets with steam engine and other sets with just coaches: 26506, 26750, 26751, 41928, 41929 and 42283.

Most, if not all of these sets came with current conducting couplings.

The first suggestion would be to test the coach with the slider alone. If the slider is the cause of the noise, it should occur if the coach is running alone.
Do you have another coach equipped with a slider and current conducting coupler? If yes, test this coach with the rest of the Rheingold consist to see if there is an issue with the consist itself. If yes, remove one coach at a time until you have narrowed down the problem to a specific coach.
You should also inspect the axle (ground) contacts, as they can cause friction against the axles and a weak spot can cause sparks which could cause signal lights to dim if the signals are powered from the same source as the track.

My next question is whether the problem only appears when the train is moving or does it also occur when stationary (Stopped)?
The first would likely be mechanical in nature and the latter likely electrical.

When you refer to blinking signals, are you referring to the track signals (red/green) or to the train markers (end of train)?
The track signals get their power (lights) from the ground (brown) and from a separate yellow cable from the transformer. The blue is used to carry a live signal to the solenoid to activate the function.
I believe that this requires a separate power source than a MS2/CS2. You will need to connect the brown from a transformer to the outer rails and the yellow to the signals in order to have proper operation of lights. The signal (only if controlled by a decoder, gets the solenoid power via the track) and likely still needs a separate power source for the lights.

If after all this, you continue to have issues, please post with as much information as possible so that we can further assist you.

Regards

Mike C

I am not an expert on digital operation of signals. Do they fully use the track voltage and digital controls or do they still require the connection of an external power supply to power the LEDs/bulbs as the case may be?

Regards

Mike C

Hi Per,

Sorry for the late response. Family holiday keeps me away from trains and computers

Anyway, below please see two pictures of the lightning



BR

/Anders

Hi,

Please receive this elaboration:

The general wiring conept is as follows:

CS2 -> Patch panels
Patch panels -> Feeder tracks
Patch panels -> Viessmann K83 decoders

CS2 details:
--
Red -> "Red" patch panel
Brown -> "Brown" patch panel

Track power:
--
Red patch panel -> multiple feeder tracks
Brown patch panel -> multiple feeder tracks

Viessmann 5211 decoders:
--
Red patch panel -> Red power feed in the decoder
Brown patch panel -> Brown ground plug in the decoder
Further cabling follows the instructions in the Viessmann manual

Signals:
--
Red -> Viessmann 5211 (K83) red
Green -> Viessmann 5211 (k83) green
Yellow -> Viessmann 5211 (k83) yellow
Ground: Separate brown in the ground plug in the signal base -> brown ground at separate transformer

K-tracks Switches / turnouts
--
Red -> Viessmann 5211 (K83) red
Green -> Viessmann 5211 (k83) green
Yellow -> Viessmann 5211 (k83) yellow


I hope it makes sense

BR

Anders

Hi Anders,

Just curious..... are these the only metal passenger coaches you have ???

Going off on a tangent I'm thinking they are acting like a aerial.

Hello Shamu and thanks for joining my topic.

I have other metal coaches on the layout.

BR

Anders.

Hi Fred,

I understand. I made this basic drawing showing the wiring. I hope it clarify

BR

Anders

You do not say how much other stuff you have operating, or if you have the layout split up into sections and using boosters to power those sections, but these points suggest to me that you are running into the output power limitation of the cs2, and it is shutting down the output momentarily.

Try removing some other powered or lit items from the layout and see if these coaches still produce the same problem. One loco may be enough to remove, but I would remove other coaches that have lighting (assuming you have some).

Any other lights such as building lighting should also be disconnected from the cs2 if that is how you are supplying it.

Hi kiwiAlan,

The layout is organized as one big section, but with 4 feeder tracks. Total track length is around 30-40 meters.
4-5 trains run similtaniously. Remaining locos stationed
The layout is powered by a 60 VA 60052 Märklin trafo. The CS2 tracks current shows <50% load
All other components than the three signals is powered by an extra exernal classic trafo.
7 Viessmann 5211 decoders
32 digital turnouts.
No boosters.

I consider tips from Fred to see if it helps.

Thanks for taking your time with me.

BR

Anders

Hi Fred,

I apologize the confusion.

I have only two trafos - the 60052 and the blue one. Besides acting as the previously mentioned ground (Brown only) for the signals, the blue trafo also powers a turn table and 5 lamps in a roundhouse (yellow and Brown). For simplicity reasons I did not add them to the drawing.

Thanks Fred

Appreciate your feedback.

BR

Anders