Getting a model train set is always so calm, regardless of age. There’s just something satisfying about it that tickles your creativity. Alas, the universe can decide to throw an obstacle in the way of this fun by causing an issue with your track, and when this happens, it becomes very frustrating to fix. One common occurrence, especially amongst newcomers, is allowing them to discourage them, and before you know it, their new set is lying at the back of the garage or sold off again. But do not worry; this article will go over some of the most common issues you can come across with a model train track.

1. Train Suddenly Stops Running.

This issue is quite common, and sadly, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for it. This is because the reasons why the train stops running could be numerous and difficult to pinpoint. The first thing to do is not to panic and start troubleshooting to pinpoint the problem. First check the track for any damage or visible misalignment. You can narrow down your suspicions by running a locomotive through the tracks to see if the tracks are the reason for its stopping. Tracks can mess up for all sorts of reasons, from misalignment due to an impact or just dust hidden in unfavorable positions.

After that, you can test various trains to determine if the problem comes from just one or several of them. If the train is the reason for the problem, you can quickly fix it by taking it to the repair shop. 

2. When Model Train Refuses To Start.

When your model train refuses to start, it might just be quite a big problem since it means that there is a problem with the train’s internal components, whether it’s the internal wiring, electronics, or the engine itself. If it’s something you can fix yourself, go for it or go to a repair shop.

3. When The Train Doesn’t Stay on Track.

In some situations, you might notice the train acting oddly at a particular corner or experiencing frequent derailment. These issues could be due to power issues with the track itself or simply alignment issues with the track assembly.

Reasons For Track Issues.

These are some of the reasons why these issues with your model train track might happen:

• Misalignment in the track is either due to shock or bad assembly.
• Poorly assembled tracks.
• Accumulation of dust, fibers, hair, and other particles.
• Water spillage.
• Electrical surges.
• Wear and tear.
• Old age of the track and trains.

Troubleshooting Issues With Model Trains.

To fix the issues with your model train tracks, you can follow these troubleshooting tips:

Check Rail Alignment.

Whenever you’re fixing or troubleshooting your tracks, you first have to check the rail alignments, or you’ll quickly find yourself going around in circles for what could have been an easy fix. Try running a test train through the entire track to see where the headlights flicker or bumps. After spotting those areas, carefully study those spots to see if it’s a mechanical issue or not. Most causes for derailments can be pointed to rail alignment issues. To fix this, all you need to do is make sure that the rail ends and tops are perfectly aligned to create a smooth part. This might also require that you bend, file and solder the track as needed. 

Check The Turnouts For Electrical Problems.

Turnouts or switches are electromechanical devices that allow the train to switch from one track to another. When there’s a problem with the switch, this can lead to the train either stopping or just straight up derailing. Turnouts can be either all live, which means that rails of opposite polarity are insulated from one another, or power-routing, which infers that there’s no insulation between the two rails. Both types of turnouts have different wiring paradigms which must be taken into consideration during troubleshooting. If there’s an electrical problem in the turnout, first look for where the circuit breaker occurred.

Check The Track Power.

If the train isn’t running or suddenly stops running, you can probably blame power issues in the rails for the problem. So, after checking for alignment, the next most important thing you should do is check the track power for where there’s been a circuit break or voltage drop with a multimeter.

Fixing model trains isn’t easy, especially when you’re inexperienced. We at Charles Ro can help you figure out what’s wrong with your tracks.