Thanks Mitch, that was it. I charged the engine on the tracks at 13 volts for 2 hours and off she went. The better news is that I was able to run the feeder wires to the 2 outside loops and the engines ran flawlessly with no voltage drops or dead-spots in conventional mode. Tomorrow I hope to hook the TMCC to the rails and see how that goes.
No tractor rebuilding here! But I've been working on the railroad-all day long. hey, is that a song? I got the TMCC hooked up to the 2 outer loops and its so sweet to see and hear engines chugging and puffing again!!! YA-HOO!!!!!! It ain't much to look at, but the power and commands are functioning flawlessly.
Thanks, Tramp. The layout project has been going slow, but well.
I hope to email Bob tomorrow and see if I can send him my front truck off the pennsy M1 in the background for the same treatment. What a difference, huh? I love it!!!!!