What do you guys do to your new engines to get them ready for the layout? Do you take them apart, clean and re-lube? Do you run for a break-in period? Any thoughts would be appreciated!! ------------------ Mike Drzycimski Arlington, TX The Southview Lines www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski
Any new loco I get gets a workout on my circular 20"radius test track. I do take them apart and check fo smooth running. Steam loco running gear is often too tight. I use a good light oil and grease I get at a local Canadian Tire store. Don't put too much on. I test run for about an hour at medium speed. Scale 30 mph. and check the motor to be sure it isn't over heating. Next check is through a seies of switches on the layout to see if flange depth is OK. Then the loco joins the roster. Robin http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.com
I run mine for one hour forward and one hour reverse with no load. The speed is 15% of full on Digitrax DCC. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
I run any new locomotive around the layout, through switches, etc. and watch it very carefully, and listen carefully also. If all looks and sounds ok it goes into traffic. I do not take it apart unless I think something is amiss. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mdrzycimski: What do you guys do to your new engines to get them ready for the layout? Do you take them apart, clean and re-lube? Do you run for a break-in period? Any thoughts would be appreciated!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I have run "new" locos on our club layouts with great success.. (usually a club (show) layout is somewhere in the neighborhood of 24'x72' and only refers to Kato or Atlas locos). I usually run new locos "light" for the first 30-60 minutes to determine that there is nothing wrong with them before coupling them to any trains... Chessie
Well, it depends on the loco and make. Most of the Atlas, Kato and new Life-Like loco's need only a "running break-in" of 30 min. to 1 hr. The Bachmann Sepectrum/Plus and old Life-Like loco's need a "test" period and if they are running OK, then no problem. If they aren't, then I take them down for an "overhaul" of the drive. This consists of cleaning all that stuff they call "lubricant" (I do that anyway to all Bachmann drives) out of the gearbox, look for any burs or forein matter, clean that out. Then I re-assemble the drive and put "Pearl Drops" tooth polish in the gears, about two drops each. Run the loco about 30 min. and disassemble again. Clean the drive train with warm water and re-assemble. Lube with LeBel compatible oil and test run again. If all's well, off to work it goes! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
Brent - aren't you meticulous !!! ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com
I run them one way for 30 minutes, the other way for 15, with its new partner for 10, and then on a train for however many years it will be inservice. I don't open locos unless there is actually a reason too..... Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@hotmail.com
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant: The Bachmann Sepectrum/Plus and old Life-Like loco's need a "test" period and if they are running OK, then no problem. If they aren't, then I take them down for an "overhaul" of the drive. This consists of cleaning all that stuff they call "lubricant" (I do that anyway to all Bachmann drives) out of the gearbox, look for any burrs or forein matter, clean that out. Then I re-assemble the drive and put "Pearl Drops" tooth polish in the gears, about two drops each. Run the loco about 30 min. and disassemble again. Clean the drive train with warm water and re-assemble. Lube with LeBel compatible oil and test run again. If all's well, off to work it goes! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Wow!! "Pearl Drops"!!! I would have never thought of that. This board is great!! Do you use any cleaner to get all the gunk out of the gears or do you just wipe off as much as possible? ------------------ Mike Drzycimski Arlington, TX The Southview Lines www.crosswinds.net/~mdrzycimski
WOOPS! I guess I forgot that part! I wash them in HOT soapie water. Let'em soak a while! Then I use a tooth brush, tooth pick and jewlers files (LIGHTLY!) for the clean up. All you need to get the Pearl Drops out is HOT water. Give'em a good rinse, you don't want to keep the stuff in there forever! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
