I am very new to the hobby and new to this web site. I recently purchased an IHC steam loco. The loco is brand new in the box but a pretty old model. I ran the train on my layout and it is very sluggish and jumpy. My other trains do not have this problem. The directions say to use only light clock oil to lube it. I cannot find any in my area. Will the oils available from walthers work? If so what would you reccomend? -Chip-
sluggish and jumpy I recently purchased an IHC loco from an estate auction. When I run it on my lay out it is sluggish and jumpy. I am very new to the hobby. The directions say to use light clock oil only. Are the oils available at walthers ok to use? If so what do recommend? The train is brand new but it is an older model. My other trains run very smooth. The train is HO scale. -chip-
IHC (probably Mehano Slovania) engines require a little breaking in. Make sure the track has been cleaned - some alcohol on a cotton cloth or even a paper towel should help - Walthers Bright Boy erasers work well. Make sure the wheels are clean; if it does not have traction tires, put some alcohol on the tracks about a foot or so in front of the engine. Power it up but hold on to it and just let the wheels spin in the alcohol while letting it move ahead very slowly. Then use a paper towel to clean the excess off the track and wheels. Then run it for about 10 minutes at half throttle forwards and 10 minutes backwards. Then try running it up about 75 to 80% power and the stopping a few times. If it is properly lubricated, it should do OK. IHC's do OK - not spectacular, but are OK!
What type of IHC did you get? Diesel? Steam? I do second that IHC need break-in time, and I too run 10 mins forward / 10 mins backward without pulling any cars. They run a lot bettter. Never hurts to lube them sparingly. I use Labell medium oil for my models. BTW,my IHC's are a 4-6-2 I bought brand-new a few months ago and a 2-6-0 I bought second-hand (may or may not have been used, I don't know) a few weeks ago.
That's what I use for my models. Also, IHCs do need break-in time. I run 10 minutes forward and 10 minutes backward without pulling anything. I do this for every engine that comes to the railraod, new or used.
Hey Welcome to TrainBoard Chip! Glad to have you join in our fun here. The guys gave you good advice, and Singer Sewing Machine oil works on older engines if used sparingly. But plastic engines require a non petroleum based oil to prevent degrading the plastic. Always use oil at less then a drop at each bearing, to keep it from migrating down over the wheels while sitting still at night, which gets it on the rails. I have had some IHC engines that when new out of the box, had dirty wheels. It may be a good idea to clean the track and wheels, then let the engine run a "break in" time like they said. Also check the pick ups to make sure they are clean and touching securely. If it still hops and jumps, get back to us and we can go from there to determine where the problem is. Have you got a layout yet? Got any photos of it? Look at Railimages here to store and post photos from, OK?
Hey Chip, I'm a newbie, too, but from what I've read, erratic operation is usually related to dirty track or wheels or both. My new and super advanced cleaning formula: 1. Brite Boy the track. 2. Vacuum the track. 3. Apply rubbing alcohol or liquid track cleaner to the track. 4. Clean engine's wheels, either by running it while you apply the rubbing alcohol to the track or by doing the old paper towel method (wetting a paper towel with rubbing alcohol, setting it on the track, and letting the engine run over it a few times; apparently, you can even hold the engine and let it spin its wheels on the paper towel, although I always wonder if that's hard on the engine). Matt
Hey, thanks for the info. My layout is in the very early stages of construction. I have wanted to do this as long as I can remember. I am having the best time. I went into this thing with really no idea of what I was doing and I am learning as I go. This is truly the greatest hobby in the world!
Still jumpy and sluggish I have tried everything you guys told me, but to no avail. I cleaned the track, cleaned the wheels, checked for bad connections( my Spectrum 2-8-0 runs great on the same track). As earlier stated I am new and not really sure about lubricating; i.e. where and how much. I just ordered Labelle 107 as recommended. It came today. Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks, firemanchip
Well... another problem on some engine designs is cold soldered wires. A badly soldered joint can be like no joint at all. Not sure if the IHC's are like the older units that had chunky wires going to the motor leads, but perhaps a little heat on the solder to re-solder the joints would help too. Consider this engine a gift. By the time you get done tinkering with it you'll be a pro.
Geeky, when I was a young boy, I was told I might have a loose wire, so I got my model airplane glue and re-glued them. Dad came home and took a look. I went to bed without supper, and he had to use acetone to get my glue off. So that's how I began to learn to solder.
So far I've used nothing other than LaBelle lubes for my units. But several years ago there was an article in "Model Railroader" about a series of lubes made by Aerocar. The author of the article applied it to several different units including a 10 to 20 year old Akane brass, which, apparently new, didn't run that good. Upshot is, this (these) lubes were highly reommended by the author. I haven't had any engines that have given me the sort of difficulty you described, but if I do, I'll give Aerocar a try. BTW, the downside according to the author is that the Aerocar was quite expensive, but very effective. Try the internet and see if you can find a listing/prices for Aerocar Lubricants.
