Model Railway Forum

Help someone. The screen on my gaugemaster prodigy express 2 handset has started flashing on and off (dimly) and locos won't run. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be will be greatly appreciated as I am getting more and more despondent with the problems I am encountering at the moment. Thanks.

Do you have a short circuit on the track?

Almost certainly a short.

Start by taking all locos and rolling stock off the track to see if the problem goes away. If it does the fault lies with the stock rather than the track.

Even simpler and no need to remove locos or wiring etc initially..... Pull out the green 4 way plug in the rear of the PA2 base unit. This will immediately remove all outward connections for both main line rails and the programming track. Do this with power turned off, remove green plug with wires still attached and then power back up.
Does the display then work correctly? If Yes, the issue is on the track somewhere or within the layout wiring. If No, then it looks as though the base unit or handset is defective... Contact Gaugemaster to arrange a return and repair.
Also worth checking is the plug at both ends on the cable that connect throttle to base unit.
Usually the PA2 displays SVdA when a short or overload occurs.

Thank you - yes I do have Svda showing. Will have a look next weekend once I'm off work.

It's official so I'm announcing it to the world - I'm a half-wit (as my wife has suspected for years). Returning to my shorting DDC controller problem I realised what I had done - I PUT A REEL OF WIRE ACROSS THE TRACKS TO STOP THE LOCO FALLING OFF THE END OF MY TURNTABLE AND THERE IS A METAL RING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF SAID REEL THEREFORE CAUSING A SHORT. I won't be doing a quick bit of testing after working a 14 hour day ever again (that's my excuse but the wife says it merely proves my half-wit status) Sorry for wasting everyone's time!

But at least you found the problem
Enjoy your model railway.

I am sure most of us have done that accidental short at least once in our hobby so you are not the first to do that nor will you be the last

In fact thinking about it, as I have been in this hobby for over 60 plus years, I have done my fair share of short circuits.

Not so long ago my I rested a screwdriver on the layout and next day couldn’t understand why one of the circuits would work. Doh!

Yep, guilty as charged