A few things I need some advice on....

[CallySleeperKid]

Firstly I have a Bachmann Virgin class 57, its DCC ready and has a chip fitted, the lights work, switch on and off fine, but when you try to move the loco it just makes a humming noise for a few seconds (much like the noise most Bachmann stuff makes when you power it) and then goes silent again, Any ideas? (The wheels are spotless to)

Secondly I have a Hornby Select DCC controller and am finding it impossible to 'double head' 2 locos, I have done this in the past but for the last few months it refuses to pair the locos up, I have tried this with several different combinations of locos but none of them work, again any help would be great.

Finally, what is the best way of cleaning your loco wheels? I was having trouble with my Bachmann Voyager and found the wheels to be filthy, i had to basically scrape the filth off with my finger nails and now it runs fine, I was very weary of using any cleaning products as I don't want to damage the wheels and connection to the track.

Thanks in advance......

 

[142094]

There is a product known as a fibreglass pen/pencil which you can use to clean wheels. I'd wear gloves if you are using one as the splinters taht come off are just about invisible and like a needle when they get into your finger.

 

[bsillett]

Problem with dirty wheels, you could try a Trix wheel cleaner. Although it is for the HO market it will clean OO gauge. Try a search online or on ebay. Basically it is a block that sits on your track and has wire brushes on top, power goes through the wire brushes and turns the wheels, cleaning them. You should also make sure that your tracks are clean as this is where most of the dirt is picked up. Hornby do a cleaning coach which in in expensive. Hope this helps.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Thanks all, I'm really more bothered about getting my 57 working, really scratching my head with this one.:cry:
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So here is a quick update,

Having read around online it seems like I have one of the earlier Hornby Select controllers, which needs a firmware update. To do this I need to send it back to Hornby.

With the Bachmann class 57, I have tried 2 different DCC decoders in the loco and the same 2 in a loco that I know works fine. When in the 57 the decoder becomes hot when the loco makes that humming noise as it starting up, then the loco cuts out. The light still work on the 57 with both decoders. I have checked all visible wire connection on the loco and all seem fine with no short circuits. Any ideas would be great, it is a lovely loco and would love to have it running again.

 

[bsillett]

Can you not plug the Select into your computer via usb and do your own firmware update. I have had mine over two years and never had a problem, would not be happy posting mine back to Hornby.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Does the 57 run on DC? Has it ever run properly?

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Yes, it used to run fine, I can try it on DC tomorrow and get back to you.

 

[class156]

For me the best way for cleaning my train wheels is by using folded up paper and scrubbing with it, it's cheap and it works.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Does the 57 run on DC? Has it ever run properly?

I have just tested it on DC and it does pretty much the same as it does on DCC, the lights come on when you change direction and power up but it does not run. Guessing there is a loose wire somewhere I need to find and re connect, unless anyone has any other ideas?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Well, if you can connect the track feed directly to the motor (NOT the mains!), disconnect the drive shafts and see what it does. If it is the same then the motor is your problem, if not, try again with the drive shafts in place, if it is the same, the bogies/drive shaft are the problem if not, it is something in the loco wiring.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Well, if you can connect the track feed directly to the motor (NOT the mains!), disconnect the drive shafts and see what it does. If it is the same then the motor is your problem, if not, try again with the drive shafts in place, if it is the same, the bogies/drive shaft are the problem if not, it is something in the loco wiring.

OK, will have a play later and let you know.
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well I had a good mess around with the 57 last night, and basically got nowhere, struggled to get to the motor itself as it is encased in some huge metal block, but I did locate the wires to the motor and tried them with the power controller contacts, just got a little spark and nothing much else, but I don't know how reliable this is without getting to the motor itself.

I put it all back together and tried it again and still get the short humming noise when I try to run the loco and the decoder getting really hot before cutting out. I am stumped with this, so looks like its going on the list to replace.