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5 Responses to Running Old Engines
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I am wondering the same thing, I have two old Mantua/Tyco 4-6-2 steam locomotives and the motor run fine output of the locomotive, but as soon as I put it all together and try them, one will move a little and excellent in reverse, but the other has a wonderful spark show underneath and does run if you put your hand on top and help it along the tracks. What should we be doing?
I have bought used engines and the best thing is to clean the wheels first. If that don’t work to well. Take the wheel completely off the trucks and clean the inside of the wheels. Clean the electric contacts. Clean any dirt around the motor contacts. But if you want to spend money, send it to a hobby shop that does repair work. I have learned over the years how to repair old engines for myself. If any of that doesn’t do any good just make the engine a static display. I got a few I done that. The best cleaning material is Clorox Glass Wipes. It doesn’t leave a residue on metal.
or any metal wipes for stainless steel kitchen appliances. I tried a lot of different things. The Clorox wipes work the best so far. It cleans the track real good. I’ve worked on Tyco to Athearn engines . Its just what condition its in that makes the difference. Hope this advice works for you. I been model railroading for over 40 years. I be 50 in March. You learn a lot by trial and error. LOL
Hi Ed a good clean and service would not go a miss Pay attention to all the electrical contacts and wheels these need to be cleaned with a good electrical contact cleaner ask your hobby shop they will usually have a good one and a complete oil of all the moving parts and also clean the track it is an important part of your layout.
pay attention to where the metal contact touches the wheel. seperate the two, and clean both. use abrasive on wheels and track, then track cleaner.
It doesn’t matter what engines you have. Clean and lightly lube everything. Some engines had very few pick-up contacts (not every wheel had them So good contact is very important. Poor contacts to the track means poor engine running. If you have a brush motor don’t forget to clean the armature contacts and areas like that, careful not to get into very small wires of the armature and damage them, Then when ready get some running time on it as this will clean the motor contacts as well as the wheels. Those shaft and axle bearings will quit squealing with a light lube. Newman