Disney HO Scale Train Problem

[andyman8]

I know this isn't park planning, but I'm in urgent need of help.

So, recently I received the Disney HO Train Scale (the really old miniature Disney World train set) in the mail. Well, I set it up today and it seems it is only moving on the track piece connected to the adaptor, yet none of the tracks are damaged at all. I'm new to these types of train and would love any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

I know this isn't park planning, but I'm in urgent need of help.

So, recently I received the Disney HO Train Scale (the really old miniature Disney World train set) in the mail. Well, I set it up today and it seems it is only moving on the track piece connected to the adaptor, yet none of the tracks are damaged at all. I'm new to these types of train and would love any suggestions. Thanks!

Sounds like corrosion on the metal parts of the tracks that snap together.

Cleaning electric train tracks.

 

[andyman8]

Sounds like corrosion on the metal parts of the tracks that snap together.

Cleaning electric train tracks.

Thank you so much! Do you know where I could purchase one of these solvent-based non-abrasive rail & wheel cleaners or are there any "home remedies" for the corrosion? Thanks again!

 

[Robo]

Thank you so much! Do you know where I could purchase one of these solvent-based non-abrasive rail & wheel cleaners or are there any "home remedies" for the corrosion? Thanks again!

For instance, "Goo Gone" is an off-the shelf product found everywhere.

Like HERE.

 

[andyman8]

For instance, "Goo Gone" is an off-the shelf product found everywhere.

Like HERE.

You're a godsend! Thank you so much! By the way, got the idea from your excellent video on YouTube. We have all of the other WDW play sets (with the exception of a few) and we got the train for Xmas. Thanks, again!

 

[andyman8]

One other thing(sorry, I ask a lot of questions), is there some webpage or YouTube video that will tell me how to apply GooGone to the track properly. Don't want to break the train.

 

[Robo]

You're a godsend! Thank you so much! By the way, got the idea from your excellent video on YouTube. We have all of the other WDW play sets (with the exception of a few) and we got the train for Xmas. Thanks, again!

Sounds great.

Make sure that you fully clean all of the metal tabs that connect between the sections of track.
Use an old toothbrush and Q-tips to get into the cervices.

Hope you geet things chugging along soon!

 

[seashoreCM]

Do the rails themselves fasten together with little metal clips at the ends? Sometimes sliding the clip on and off a few times (if possible) will clean and improve the contact. Each clip represents two contacts that have to be good, from one rail end to the clip and from the clip to the next rail end. It may be necessary to squash the clip slightly to make it a little tighter as a loose clip will cause an intermittent connection or lack of connection that will prevent the train from running.

 

[andyman8]

Is it odd that the train stops when it crosses both ends of track piece connected to the adaptor. Would this still indicate a corrosion issue, an issue with the metal connectors, or something else? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Robo]

Is it odd that the train stops when it crosses both ends of track piece connected to the adaptor. Would this still indicate a corrosion issue, an issue with the metal connectors, or something else? Thanks for all the help.

It could be anything causing it (like the ends being completely broken off.)
Barring that, completely cleaning any metal-to-metal connections (and making sure that they have not been bent or crushed into a non-connection situation) will solve the issue.
The idea is that the tracks must complete the electrical circuit as they touch.

It's nearly impossible to "diagnose over the phone," so to speak.

If I had the tracks here in front of me, I could tell you exactly what to do in just minutes.

Worst-case, you can purchase entirely new HO-scale tracks from most hobby stores.

 

[andyman8]

Here are some shots of the track.

I just noticed that one of the four small copper-colored pies in between the tracks is missing on both ends of the track. All the other tracks have four on each end. Could this be the cause? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Here are some shots of the track.

I just noticed that one of the four small copper-colored pies in between the tracks is missing on both ends of the track. All the other tracks have four on each end. Could this be the cause? Thanks!

Yup.

 

[andyman8]

Yup.

Thanks for the quick response. What could I do to fix this? Thanks, again for your unbelievable help.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the quick response. What could I do to fix this? Thanks, again for your unbelievable help.

If you're somewhat "handy" you could fashion something (like paper clips, unbent) wedged between the tracks with the problems.


If I have one motto in hobby-crafting, it's "Necessity is the mother of invention."

 

[andyman8]

If you're somewhat "handy" you could fashion something (like paper clips, unbent) wedged between the tracks with the problems.


If I have one motto in hobby-crafting, it's "Necessity is the mother of invention."

Could you possibly elaborate on this paper clip idea?

 

[TunaSled]

If you can carefully remove one of the remaining copper bits and bring it to your local hobby shop, I'd almost guarantee that they'd have some to sell cheaply. It can't be a rare or proprietary piece, probably common in the model train hobby.

 

[Robo]

Could you possibly elaborate on this paper clip idea?

If you still need help, please send me a PM & we'll get you going.


.

 

[GoHerbie]

The pictures didn't load for me so I'm not sure what pieces you all were discussing. But when assembling my HO track the small coupler piece that joins 2 metal track sections can frequently get pushed back, and even though the gray plastic base snapped together, the 2 metal rails on adjoining tracks would be very close but not touching.

I'll look into getting the Disney HO train, it's one of our favorite moments when the MK train comes from the right with all the characters waving good morning.

 

[andyman8]

If you still need help, please send me a PM & we'll get you going.


.

I just PMd you.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

You're a godsend! Thank you so much! By the way, got the idea from your excellent video on YouTube. We have all of the other WDW play sets (with the exception of a few) and we got the train for Xmas. Thanks, again!

What's the link for the video? Sounds interesting