This may be a silly Q:for most of you guys but i have just ordered my first brass loco from overland models , and im just wondering what steps i need to take to get them running well as iv heared they can be hard to get running right out of the box. Any help would but great thanks
Actually, later brass models run much better than "what you'd heard". I'd suggest that you get the engine, run it for an hour in each direction to break it in, and then look at what you've got. You may need some extra contacts (some brass picks up only on one side of the loco and the other side from the tender) for more reliable pick-up, perhaps a wiper on the "other" side of the loco. Clean it and properly lubricate. If it is a poor runner, look to North West Short Line (NWSL) (in Seattle) for new motor/gears/drivetrain, etc.
Shame if its a poor runner you have to replace the running gear on it, specially after payin premuim for Brass.
What gauge are you running CPNUT? I have several brass HO and HOn3 locos, and have never had any problem with them running poorly right out of the box. Only one, a Westside Model Co. GS-4 had a problem getting around a 24 inch radius. Close inspection disclosed the pilot truck was jamming against the cylinder-cocks. I just had to bend them out a slight bit .. and viola! Everything ran fine.
I model N so any work is going to be fiddly . Its an AC6000 from GE so luckly no valve gear or side rods to worry about, thanks for all the help guys
