Surging 4-8-2

Recently I was testing a section of track, I was using my Bachman 4-8-2, at first it was quiet forward and reverse then it started to surge and gotten noisey. The only way to get it to move was throttle wide open, at first I thought it might be dirty track and wheels but I had just cleaned them, but I cleaned again and the engine still didn't work right. Has anyone had similar problems and was it an simple fix

 

Hi!
That sounds like the motor is in need of a lube job!
Squealing is often caused to dry motor bushing. I know it is not easy to reach the end with the worm on it but you can place a really small drop of lube with a needle at it and at the other side as well.

Regards
Mathi

 

thanks for the info, I haven't run it much so I wasn't sure about it I'll give that a try

 

Well,
you can give it a first try just at the rear end because its easier to reach without disassembling the loco

 

I just picked up a FVM Hiawatha set. and the loco looks like it surges. when the side rods go around, it seems like it lopes, kinda slows at about 2 o'clock.

might take it back to the LHS and see if they have another.

 

This would be first report of any Hiawatha locomotive running issues.

fatalxsunrider43

 

The loping is a telltale sign of a quartering issue. I recommend taking it back to see if it can be exchanged, or send back to Fox Valley to have repaired. This is sometimes a simple fix, but othertimes, it can get ugly fast. I spent about 20 hours total requartering and fixing one of my cab forwards since I didn't have a jig to re-quarter it. I had to do it all by "eye", not an easy thing to do.