Comments on: Problem With Spinning Tender

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 06:32:45 +0000

I have an image of the tender spinning like a top – obviously not what you meant. Frank has given you enough to think about but if your loco is tender driven then the wheels are the problem – out of gauge, slipping traction tyres or the axle/wheel joint has let go.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:07:23 +0000

Another one I have just thought of is if traction tyres are worn/perished they will slip on the drive wheel. Try new traction tyres.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:05:30 +0000

Another fault that can occur is the gear slipping on its shaft or a drive wheel slipping on its axle. Remedy, clean and add a drop of super glue.

By: Frank B

Frank B — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 02:55:48 +0000

Do you mean the wheels are spinning ? Some model steam locos have the motor in the tender.

If drive wheels are spinning, it may be:
1) There is too much weight of train cars behind the loco.
(Remedy: reduce load.)(or double-head a long train with two locos)

2) There is too little weight in the tender (to give traction).
(Remedy: add weight over drive axles, e.g. steel or copper or lead sheet)

3) There may be misalignment in couplers (etc) causing the tender to lift off the rails.
(Remedy: adjust couplers.)

4) Wheels can slip along axles. Inspect with a magnifying glass, the wheels on the end of a piece of track to see how they look. There are gauges for checking rails and wheels.

5) It takes more force to pull a train uphill or around a curve. All of the above will be useful.

Please let us know if any of these solutions help at all !