Z scale locco lights are on but no one in!

Gary Regester Jul 7, 2021

  1. Gary Regester

    Gary Regester TrainBoard Member

    13
    2
    2
    Hi I am building a Z scale suit case layout and I have a locco that when put on the track wont run. The lights come on but no movement. I have tried another locco and it runs fine. I have cleaned the track and ensured there arent any obstacles as i have started adding the ballast. Can some one help as I was going to send to someone to look at but it will cost the value of the locco? Many thanks
     
  2. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

    804
    241
    21
    Gary,

    welcome to the forum.

    You didn’t mention the make and model of the problem locomotive, which may be useful in diagnosing you problem.

    Mark
     
  3. Gary Regester

    Gary Regester TrainBoard Member

    13
    2
    2
    Hi Mark
    Thanks for your reply its a MARKLIN MINI CLUB 8803 CLASS 24? DRG 2-6-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE Z GAUGE SCALE SPUR Z Thanks
     
    CNE1899 likes this.
  4. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Likely ‘Hardened Oil Syndrome’ (HIS). The (older) märklin locos used oil lubricants that thickened of the years. Newer locos use proper lived lubricants.

    Unless the Loco motor is fried from sitting on the track for several minutes under this condition, it is relatively easy to disassemble, clean and re-lubricate.

    I'm mobile right now but there is a website to explain how it is is done. Some one will shortly post a like. NOTE: Diesels are easy, Steam are NOT! There are folks that can do them but they typically take several weeks for turnaround (due to primary employment, needed parts, etc.) but many are here to help!

    Now back home.
    NOTE: Never take the bottom 'bar' off the bottom of a steam locomotive! The gears must be kept in proper order (Quartering) or is will not run !!!

    How to info: From Zscale.org, "Do it Yourself in Z-scale"
    , maintained by David. A. Karp
    http://www.zscale.org/articles/revival.html
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2021
  5. Gary Regester

    Gary Regester TrainBoard Member

    13
    2
    2
    Thats fantastic thanks so much for that
     
  6. z.scale.hobo

    z.scale.hobo TrainBoard Member

    228
    210
    15
    But if you don't open and clean the lower pan - you likely don't clear all the hardened oil.

    Contrary to Jeff's comment, the lower gears and wheels can be removed but timing and re-quartering is not always a trivial task. So for most people - don't remove the lower pan. But again many times this is exactly where the oil is frozen up.
     
    CNE1899 likes this.
  7. sumgai

    sumgai TrainBoard Member

    181
    160
    20
    Sorry guys, "There be dragons! if you try to quarter....NOT!!!" If you bought into Marklin you should learn by doing to work on them. If you make a boo boo, plenty on Ebay to replace it. Prices on this unit, in production since 1973 are usually under $100. Plenty of literature at the Marklin Mothership and from all the Marklin forums to assist you in your endeavors. So I will offer 8 pics here on relubing the lovely 8803. Lovely because it is a perfect specimen for conversion to an American Mogul with purchase of a $50 pewter kit from Republic Locomotive Works. Or you can spend $400 for a Marklin Mogul "Bumble Bee" Or $900 for a MTL Mogul, but you'll still have to lube both of them!
    1.jpg 2.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    • 3.jpg
      3.jpg
      File size:
      33.7 KB
      Views:
      24
    • 4.jpg
      4.jpg
      File size:
      31.8 KB
      Views:
      23
    • 5.jpg
      5.jpg
      File size:
      66.2 KB
      Views:
      24
    • 6.jpg
      6.jpg
      File size:
      57.9 KB
      Views:
      23
    • 7.jpg
      7.jpg
      File size:
      112.3 KB
      Views:
      23
    • 8.jpg
      8.jpg
      File size:
      100.9 KB
      Views:
      23
    DB_Z, Kurt Moose, CNE1899 and 3 others like this.
  8. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    B E A U T I F U L !!!
    Excellent documentation and clear images !
     
  9. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

    1,097
    1,872
    36
    sumgai,

    Great pictures and write up!
    I totally agree! I am in the process of building a 0-4-0, 0-6-0, 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 4-4-2, 2-6-0, and 2-8-0 all based on modified (some heavily) Marklin chassises.
    I take them apart completely and modify them to fit the locomotive shell. It is fun to learn along the way. No dragons here!

    Scott
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.

Share This Page