traction DD40AX

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L

loryray

New Member
O K Here we go. Have a DD40AX locomotive that all of a sudden has lost traction. Front truck just spins on track and goes no where. Use to work fine. Have ordered traction tires from MFG but need to know how to keep them in place. Any help on this would be appreciated.
 
Traction tires are usually made to fit a wheel that is made to have a traction tire. Imagine a railroad wheel that has a groove cut in the surface that rides on the rail. The traction tire is made to fit in that area. If there is no groove for a traction tire, I would recommend Bull Frog Snot. Google it if you're not familiar with it.

Are you sure the wheels are turning on both trucks and not just one? If one truck's wheels weren't turning, I could see that causing the wheels on the other truck to spin on the rails. I think you may have something more going on here. You may need to do some more investigating.
 
Burlington Bob said:
Are you sure the wheels are turning on both trucks and not just one? If one truck's wheels weren't turning, I could see that causing the wheels on the other truck to spin on the rails. I think you may have something more going on here. You may need to do some more investigating.
Click to expand...
I agree. Sounds like the drive to the other truck has broken or is slipping. Maybe a driveshaft or u-joint has pulled apart, or maybe a cracked worm gear.
 


I have had occasions where the plastic fitting that goes directly on the motor's shaft wear to the pint it no longer grips like it should, and slips. I have used Loctite to fix that issue. One must be VERY CAREFUL NOT to get any Loctite where it does NOT belong. I have also used it on steam loco drivers that became loose and will not hold quartering properly.

I AGREE...... it needs further CAREFUL investigating to pin down the EXACT cause. There are many things to check and very easy to miss some little thing/s causing big problems.
 
BOB
Thanks for the tip. A piece of Ballast caughtbin the bgears of the rear truck, removed and all is good. Had to take it apart to find it. Scarey for a newbe like me.
THANKS
 
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