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]

Good Lord, Marc! If you could do those, you can do a locomotive. Most of the components in a diesel engine at locked together. The only problem is the side rods and quartering on a steamer. Also, everyone. Except Mike. He already knows this. It is a good idea to take the shell off your engines at least once a year, or more often with heavy running, to clean and lube the poor little hard working thing. You give your car regular PM. Your engines need it more. Ask the people I sold engines to that were 30 years old and still like new. Ask Ernie and Doug, especially about the steamers. The old Rivarossi engines. How's that Challenger running doug? I had an email from one of my Big-Boy buyers again thanking me for a great running engine. The one he bought was my very first from 1972. clean baby, clean! ginzokid's backshop B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, I know I have to get passed this "fear" and get down to it. I tell myself...."HEY, some very ordinary factory worker put this thing together in the first place...why can't I, as an advanced college degreed professional, do the same thing?!? With help and encouragment I'll get there! Marc

[nascarpetlover]

Just shop on eBay and buy couple of nice Bachmann engines and practice, practice, practice. Then when you have it down, resell on eBay like alot of others sell that never been on the track engine. You'd get the practice and at least could resell the junk you bought. Hey, just an idea. LNF

[untabubba]

Actually, I have some "practice engines", I just haven't gotten around to it. My Bachmann F7, that I use to test my track, is starting to act funny. It may be time to crack that baby open and have a look-see. Marc

[ginzokid]

"...starting to act funny." I'll bet you haven't cleaned the wheels or the insides since you bought it have you. PM baby, PM! B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, Naaaa, I just beat on it! I use it as "the sacrificial loco" to see if the track works right. It's running much slower than it used to. I'm certain it has pulled all manner of crap up inside with those "all wheel drive" gears hanging out the bottom! Remember, this is the one I wanted to enter in the "loco races". Maybe I'll get a chance to pop it open this afternoon and see what all is in there. Any tips? All I have is a small bottle of Bachmann "Gear Oil", with a little needle applicator, that I bought when I tried to make my Dash run better. (What a piece! I sent it back to Bachmann, but it still runs like sh*t!) If you're there get back to me and I can swing buy the LHS, on the way home, to pick up any PM supplies you suggest. Marc

[untabubba]

Actually Pete, I have one of those Minitrix brass brush wheel cleaner things that you sit on the rails. But I haven't used it in a looooooong time! :O ;) Marc

[beastranger]

Marc Pick up a package of Labelle gear lube and oil. It is a package that has oil that is compatible with plastic and oil that is not, plus a tube of gear grease. Punk

[untabubba]

Punk, Is there a number associated with this oil? I think I recall seeing Labelle oil, but I also think I recall there were diferent numbers. That confused me. I guess I could ask! Duh! What would I do with the oil that is not compatible with plastic? Marc

[trmwf]

Use it on your engines that have metal gears?

[untabubba]

Prof, But might it mess up the shell, or other plastic parts, if I get messy? Or is it just the formula of the oil and what it application is? Anyway, my LHS was totally devoid of all Labelle products. They are the worst stock store! They've had hardly any Atlas track since before the holidays! Well, I took the shell off....now what? Do I use the needle applicator and drop oil on the shafts I see on either side of the armature? Do I unbolt the heavy split frame and open her all the way up? Specific advice requested, please! Marc

[ginzokid]

For the umpteenth and LAST TIME: Labelle #106 Grease with Teflon for plastic and metal gears. A small dab please. Over lubing just ruins it. Labelle #108 Light Oil for everything else. One drop is all you need at each location please. The Minitrix brass brush wheel cleaner is my favorite for cleaning loco wheels. I've worn out three of them so far. Still have three more. I should sell them since I no longer need them. Open it up Marc. Take it all apart. Record with a digital where everything goes. Clean everything of the old grease and oil. Apply new lubrication, re-assemble and run it. B-)

[beastranger]

Just pretend you are James Bond making a martoonie. Drop all the pieces into a shaker and shake not stirred until clean. Then put it all back together and lube it. Punk

[untabubba]

Pete, As I said, the stupid LHS that is most convenient had not one Labelle product! (The guy directed me to an empty rack!) I've cut and pasted your post into my "Helpful Hints" folder and written the numbers down. I may try to get to the Strasburg Train Shop this weekend. They have most everything. Marc

[untabubba]

I guess this is a good place for this. Can anyone clue me in into what goes on "inside" an Atlas powered turnout? Are there any "user serviceable" parts in there? Here's the deal. One of my (older) turnouts works sporadically. It's not dead, technically, but it doesn't work either! If I remove the screws and motor and "work" the mechanism manually and reassemble it, it sometimes will work again....for a while, then quit. I didn't want to take it apart before I asked if there's any point to it. I'm assuming there's a little electric coil in there.....is there anything I could do as far as fixing it? Maybe a loose wire? The larger question is....will "Mr. Thumbs" be able to reassemble it! :| Marc