44 Collectable Model Trains: Maintenance Tips: What are warning signs for your locomotive?
Description
This article is from the Model Trains FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by others.
44 Collectable Model Trains: Maintenance Tips: What are warning signs for your locomotive?
If your loco jerks as it runs or runs much better in one direction
than the other, and you have eliminated all electrical problems, it
likely needs a new motor armature. Most toy train motors have three
pole armatures so if one is failing, the motor will push for two
thirds of a spin and be dead weight for one third, causing jerking.
A loco that makes a "jjjjjsssshhhiinnnngggg" noise may have worn
gears. Inspect the gears. If the edges of the teeth are straight and
angular they should be OK. If they have become curved and dulled they
have become worn and will only get worse. Replacing gears and wheels
may be expensive and difficult, especially on steamers.
When traction tire equipped locos slip on grades, run your finger
across the rubber tire. If this soils your finger the tire should be
replaced. Grime sticks to the tires and reduces traction. Replace,
don't clean them. They don't cost much, but are tricky to get on. If a
magnetraction loco slips, the permanent magnet may have failed. A
sharp blow can weaken a permanent magnet so dropping locos doesn't
help magnetraction much. DON'T try to replace the magnet yourself! It
takes special adhesive to connect them properly.
A loco that jitters or stalls under light loads is saying "clean
wheels, rollers and track!"
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