Please excuse me.

From what I can tell: The DCS50 was called "Zephyr". The DCS51 "Zephyr Xtra". And the DCS52 is Zephyr Express". Just to be super clear. ??

Anything on the display?

Does the DCS51's display give any error messages when this happens?

That this only happens soon after start-up and effects multiple engines would seem to rule out a "ghost throttle" problem to me.  Still, doing a reset to factory settings  (Op Switch 39) might be in order.

Scott Chatfield 

. . .

" DCS connected to a booster.  "

Can you clarify this statement.?    Is section of track power by DCS51  or by a booster ?

Decoder make and model ?  Have you tried resetting it to defaults and testing it before re entering cv values.

Doing an OPSW 39 reset will clear all data in Zephyr as well as clear all SLOT content that might be at root cause.

Marc

experiencing stop-n-go performance

Does the engine start back up if you push it, if so could be corroded wheels problem( Athearn blue box for example)?  If the Zepher power cuts off then it's not a wheel or dirty track problem??. Which would leave a decoder problem???.....DaveB 

Divide and conquer...

Bypass the booster and see if the problem still exists...

Clarification

Have tried most of the suggestions to no avail. Input:

1. NO indications on the DCS throttle readout.

2. Engine is just back from servicing with new decoder, properly set up and clean wheels/track.

3. Engine stops for a second or two and then starts back up without pushing to another section of track.

4. Problem occurs 2 or 3 times along the layout and then runs smoothly the rest of the way.

5. Booster is hooked correctly to the DCS; bus is divided into 5 power districts wired first to PSX-1 circuit breakers for each district which show NO faults.

6. Ops set to clear all engines with only one entry. Cleared after PA-1 stalls. Second engine entered and same results as described.

7. Still scratching my head. . . . .

  "Problem occurs 2 or 3

Are the 2 or 3 times always at the same place or are they random spots? Do any other engines have a problem at spots? Seems like trying to narrow it down to track, engine, or command station problem would be the way to go......DaveB

Problem

Seems to occur at same 3 spots. Have cleaned track there and checked for power - all good. Other engines do the same. Thinking I might have to check to figure out if all in the same power district. Will try again to reset the DCS51 to factory settings and see if the problem clears.

Problem

Seems to occur at same 3 spots. Have cleaned track there and checked for power - all good. Other engines do the same. Thinking I might have to check to figure out if all in the same power district. Will try again to reset the DCS51 to factory settings and see if the problem clears.

. . .

"  Seems to occur at same 3 spots. "

Then your problem is not one with the  Command Station but onw of contact between engine and rails.

Try flipping the engine end for end to see if symptom changes.

Marc

"Seems to occur at same 3 spots."

If more than one engine has a problem at those spots it sounds like a track problem to me. Maybe cold soldered feeders that lose conductivity to the rail or bus wire at times? or maybe track that has warped out of gauge a bit and pinches the engine wheels( especially if they are multi driver'ed steam).....DaveB

Do the three spots coincide with power district boundaries?

Could be polarity is different in the different blocks. 

Thanks

Good advice to help solve the problem. Will check switching engine direction and retrace the power district setup. However, whole railroad ran well previously (a month ago) with only one stoppage at a switch which was solved by adding jumpers to the frog rails - short wheel base engine. . . .

Checking the track

David,  I was reading the thread, that is a engine not picking up power off the rails. Get 400 or 600 grid sandpaper( auto store) and sand the top of the rail lightly.  Do you have a volt meter with continuity check. (it beeps when you have a complete circuit)  You can go along the track and find your bad sections.  

Lavon Stauffer  

Pennsylvania & Appalachian