Why does this one locomotive slip? None of my other diesels slip, not even the tiny Bachmann MDT/Plymouth. The one that slips (the Conrail) feels as heavy as the others, so I'm sure it's weighted. Anything I can do?
Your photos tell the whole story. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/yugofa2.html This overall loco design is about 50 years old! Poor motor. Gears are only on ONE truck- the rear. Not enough weight. Plastic frame. Poor electrical pickup. Without commenting on how much you love this loco, and how much sentimental feelings you have for it (like first loco you ever had, etc)..... this is among the worst running N scale locos ever made. I myself have a few of these old locos that I save for sentimental reasons. But if I plan on running anything, there are much newer/better models oout there.
Sand maybe, or A-Number 1 greased the tracks when you weren’t looking... On a serious note, first clean the wheels (UTube videos to see how), then get an NMRA standards gauge and check your wheel gauge. You might have some locomotive wheels that are set too narrow and are not touching the rail. The photo looks like it may have a plastic frame and only has one powered truck, so it may be a lost cause. Unfortunately, this hobby really enforces the old saying “you get what you pay for”.
That loco originally had traction tires on the two rear wheels on the last axle of the geared truck. And with my old eyes squinting at the photo it appears they are not there. The axle that takes them should have milled out grooves in the wheels. Replacement traction tires used to be made and sold by Stewart and came in hard plastic mini packages of ten sets or more. They were labeled for diesels and small steam. To get them on requires taking the side frame piece off and warming the traction tires in some hot water to make them flexible enough to stretch and fit on the wheels.
I didn't notice that only the rear truck was powered. This loco has no sentimental value, I can't even remember where I got it. And to answer Carl, I have no A-Number 1. LOL
Old train movie reference... Emperor of the North. Glad someone on this board is old enough to remember.
Yes, one of my favorite train movies, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin and Keith Carradine. Second favorite train movie is "The Train" Back on topic, As John pointed out, the locomotive in question has lost it's traction tires. If you cannot find traction tires for this locomotive, let me suggest Bull Frog Snot. Here are a couple of videos on how to apply Bull Frog Snot. Apply the Bull Frog Snot to the rear powered wheels with the grooves that originally held the traction tires. Hope This Helps?
You know, I'm not seeing any grooves in the wheels. I don't think it had traction tires. Bullfrog Snot is $27 on Amazon. I don't know if this loco is worth it. I wish I'd known about all this, I have a Model Power Alco loco coming from Ebay. It's going to have the same problem.
I think the bullfrog snot would just exchange one problem for another - electrical conductivity. If this loco only has drivers on one truck, probably only picks up power on one truck.
Odd... both trucks have gears but only one is powered? Maybe the trucks have been replaced. Consider practicing heavy weathering on it and using it to decorate some overgrown track near a yard.
All the versions of this locomotive I have had pick-up from both trucks and only the rear most axle of the geared truck would need the application. These critters could pull as Spookshow's review stated so there may be another issue. Check that the wheels free roll on the front truck and nothing is dragging and make sure that both sets of wheels in the power truck are rotating. The 3rd version of this locomotive did not have traction tires only the first two versions. But all versions had one geared truck only.
I understand and feel your pain. That's why Mark Peterson's website is one of the most valuable to N scalers on the web. http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html I would generally not ever buy anything with a C rating or below.
Are you able to take the shell off and observe what's happening? The worm gear cover could be loose, allowing the worm gear to ride above the gear tower of the trucks (you'd probably hear some grinding or clicking if that were happening) The drive shaft - depending on how it's connected to the motor - could be slipping. I think your next step is examining the guts. One other thing that could be a long shot is check that nothing under the loco is out of alignment touching the tracks, like a loose fuel tank cover or cock-eyed sideframes. That could cause a reduction of downward force to the real wheels. -Mike
