Old Trains

[hba7485]

Hi guys, I got out some of my HO stuff last week & put some track together to run some of my old stock. What does the group suggest as far as maintenance of old engines before I put a spark to them. Most have been set up for 15 to 20 years & I'd hate to fry one out of ignorance. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Blane

[ginzokid]

Blane, The first thing you have to do is clean the wheels. Next, you should take the shell off and clean out all the old grease in the gears and on the motor shafts. The old grease and oil will be stiff and sticky and probably has absorbed dust and other imputities from just sitting around. Just clean everything. Next use the proper oil and gear lube to relube what you just cleaned. While the shell is off, be it diesel or steam, test the motor by touching leads from your power pack to the wheels to be sure the motor is running and you are getting pick-up through the wheels. Next, put it on the track and enjoy! B-) & :x

[beastranger]

Blane If they have open frame motors, you can take the motor apart also and clean the armature of carbon build up. I've had motors that woudn't run at all but once I did that they worked fine. Check the brushes too, to make sure they aren't worn out. Punk

[ginzokid]

Blane, I forgot to tell you about Atlas "Conducta Lube Cleaner". This liquid comes in a bottle with a metal applicator spout and is the best stuff for cleaning the motor armature and brushes. You usually don't even have to take the motor apart to use it. Just put some on the commutator and turn the armature by hand a few times. Then put the test leads to the wheels and watch the gunk fly. R/C car guys have a spray cleaner that they use for their motors, but from experience, I advise against using it. The formula seems to eat up HO and N scale motor brushes which tend to be softer that the R/C car brushes. Just a caution in case the hobby shop salesman tries to steer you that way. B-) B-)

[hba7485]

Thanks guys, but most of my collection is unused so it's never had a lub job to begin with. I doubt it's gotten any dust as most was stored in original boxes & beds stored in sealed containers & such. I've never had one apart either. I just worry about the initial current to old motors that have never seen any & I would be afraid to use any solvent like contact cleaner when I might not need to. Is it possible for the motor to lock when not used for that amount of time? Thanks again for the info thus far & what a great source of info you are. Hope yall keep her on the rails. Blane

[untabubba]

Blane, If you think they are clean, just put one on the tracks and very slowly apply power. Watch the headlight to see if it's coming on. If it doesn't move.....STOP! ...but I have no idea what I'm talking about! That's just what I'd do. Marc

[trmwf]

Blane, I'd just run them also. New units come from the factory all lubed up so if you haven't run them and they are still in the box and since grease really just doesn't go away they should be fine. prof

[hba7485]

Hey Marc, Thanks alot. you just made my day. I've tried 4 with inspiring results. Thanks Prof, It really makes me feel like the idiot I am to be so in the dark about electrical engines. Blane

[ginzokid]

Blane, My only concern is that the old grease solidified and the motor will have to work harder to over come the lack of viscosity. I would still take them apart and at least clean and regrease the gears. B-)

[hba7485]

Yea that sounds likely. Some will be more easy to get to than others, like the ones where the tender is the driver. I'll give it a shot. If I have any problems I'll get back with you. Thanks again. Blane

[ginzokid]

Blane, You can sometimes get lucky and get most of the old grease out with a tooth pick from the bottom. But you will not get the stuff that has hardened on the gear casing sides that way. The most difficuly thing about steamers is getting the side rods back in place correctly. You can always send them to the Ginzokid's Backshop for servicing. I'm cheap too. B-)

[untabubba]

Blane, I'm glad you had good results. That being said, I think you should follow Pete's advice and service them, now that you know that actually run. Oh, and trust me, you can not possibly know less than I do about electrical engines, or the mysteries that lurk inside these tiny machines! ;) Marc

[janesew]

...or me. :8} F

[ginzokid]

I love to take things apart...Who says they have to go together again and with all the same parts... Ginzokid's Backshop: What we have left over, is yours for free. B-)

[untabubba]

I, for one, am loathe to take apart a loco that's running. I am the guy who never gets them back together right. All those darn little parts! And it ain't like there's an N Scale repair shop down the street! Now, I was a master at dismantling and "tweaking" those little Aurora ThunderJet and AFX HO race cars when I was a kid! Marc