locomotive info

[jdkasben]

Being new to this hobby, I need some input. I have several N scale Loco's that run real slow and sluggish. Are these wore out, or do they just need cleaning or rebuilding. If they need cleaning or rebuilding any help in doing this will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rico]

First I'd check that the rails are getting full power and that they are clean.
Next I'd clean the wheels by placing one truck on a paper towel wet with cleaner and the other on the track, let them spin a little then do the next truck.
It could be old grease turned into gunk in the trucks and mechanism if they've sat for a long period of time in which case you may need to dismantle them.
There's also the wipers on the backside of the wheels, depending on the make of the locos, and the brushes that may need cleaning.
It's a start.

 

[Selector]

Assuming the motor is basically sound, and so for the gear tower and final drive(s), it is possibly the dirty electrical wiping surfaces, but I would bet it has more to do with dry or gummy and generally polluted lubes. Grease does lose some volatiles over time that makes what is left behind stickier and less viscous. Lint, pet hairs, your body hairs, skin particles, house dust, insect parts, spider webbing.....you name it...it can all get wrapped around the axles and into bearings and bushings.

-Crandell

 

[DaWolf85]

Assuming the motor is basically sound, and so for the gear tower and final drive(s), it is possibly the dirty electrical wiping surfaces, but I would bet it has more to do with dry or gummy and generally polluted lubes. Grease does lose some volatiles over time that makes what is left behind stickier and less viscous. Lint, pet hairs, your body hairs, skin particles, house dust, insect parts, spider webbing.....you name it...it can all get wrapped around the axles and into bearings and bushings.

-Crandell

My friend had a loco that this was so bad on it took him a month to fix