Engine Problems

[mopman]

I have a n scale kato gp38-2 that barely runs forward , seems like the front trucks barely running but it runs ok backwards . Anyone know if
theres something i could check myself .Running DC

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Did you check track voltage in both directions?

 

[TrinityJayOne]

I would check the drivetrain. The gears can have enough slack in them that a problem may only manifest in one direction.

 

[MRLdave]

I agree with the drivetrain suggestion. It's possible for bits of ballast and such to work into the trucks....when the gears turn one direction the debris is pulled into the gears and bind them up, but in the other direction the gears are pushing the object away so it runs fine.

 

[VinnyV123]

If worse comes top worse, you can get a new part off the website. I'll give you the link if you want.

 

[bnsf971]

The Kato GP38-2 has some plastic parts in the drive that can and will break, especially after over 20 years. Some people have had good luck replacing those pieces with 1 mm fuel line, though some parts will have to be glued or epoxied back together.