My locomotives seem to hesitate momentarily at various places around my layout, at very slow speed the may stop overwise they pass over the spot. To improve matters I clean the track with a micro fibre cloth and sometimes this improves the smooth running.

However there are noticeable small stops and start of the locomotive when travelling at speed and this is also seen as momentary flickering of the front headlights of the locomotive.

My layout is contained on a 3metre x 1metre board fed by a single ms2 line feed. All the points are digital controlled, and I've lighting fed of an m84, some street light LED's also appear to vary in intensity even when no locomotive is running - is this normal - filament bulbs in houses aren't affected.

How can I improve the smooth running of my locomotives? Can I reduce LED flicker?


Thanks

I would be inclined to add two or three more power feeds at certein sections of the layout, this might help with stops and slow running in sections and perhaps also reduce light flickering, although from LED's it is strange that they flicker try the extra power feeds and see if that helps.

Okay - its all on Märklin C track

Hi oranda

I think for a good functionning of a medium size layout are needed:
- clean track (I understand you already did) Avoid abrasives which create micro grooves in which the dirt accumulates
- clean pick-up wheels and slider (Isopropyl Alcool or contact fluid) avoid abrasives
- a little bit of running-in (the best of layout when not used becomes aggravating at first use).
Power feeding of tracks for a non giant layout does not play a big role with C Track.
Enjoy trains

Jean