Is the loco correctly oiled and serviced?

I had a similar problem with a loco not often used, that first was a bit lazy -even had to push it to start moving-, and after a while started to run in a rough way, almost jumping at acceleration and deceleration manouvers. The engine was apparently clean, so after only oiling it, started to run smoothly as usual.

Quick update,

I tried lubricating...little effect

I tried cleaning all my rails (hand wiped with Goo Gone {citrus cleaner, the room smells like Florida now})...got rid of a lot of dirt, helped a little but still had issues in reverse.

I tried GooGone on the loco's wheels (the ones without the rubber tyre). I only rubbed the wheel section that was available since it is a rod driven loco. So only tested that little bit not much dirt came off at first had little effect but now seems to have done the trick..more testing tomorrow.

Thanks again for the advice on cleaning. The strange thing is this loco was only bought (from a dealer) in the summer of 2004, so I have not had 40 hours running time on it [:(] or any of the track I have. I was not expecting to have to clean or lube it yet for quite awhile to come. So thanks again for the advice.

John

John

The described symptom does not look like a contact problem. It is most likely some minor misalignment in the motor assembly, combined with lack of oil somewhere. I have had similar problems on a few loks. Usually it's cured by oiling alone, but a few times I have loosened the screws that hold the collector plate a little and then tigthened them again (not too firmly).

So I tried everything again this morning and the problem is still there [:(] and still only when the loco is going in reverse.

I did clean the pick up shoe yesterday also (wiped it with Goo Gone) it was very clean. I also checked the spring in the shoe and it seemd that everything was correclty set up.

Per you mention a collector plate. What is that and roughly where would I find it? I am assuming different models will have it in different places.

I did the experiment of turning the loco on but lifting it up with my hand. I could hear the different engine sounds change(a distinctive change when the speed varies).

When I oiled (I've never done this before) I use the oil sparingly (1 drop from a syringe needle). I turned the lok over oiled the cog wheels I could see and the axle wheel joint for all non-traction tyred wheels. Just one drop of oil (it is a German brand, not Marklin, that is supposedly suitable for oiling).

This is quite frustrating since slowly moving in reverse is a common operation for my train running.

John

Hi Davy,

I will contact a dealer and discuss the next steps.

John

Has a seetal brushes? I don't think. It has a engine with a fly wheel.

I returned the train to Marklin USA. Decoder exchange did nothing, so they got me a new train. This one was unfortunately damaged, not Marklin USA's fault, so I returned it again. They managed to get another new engine and this one works fine. While Marklin USA were not the most communicative in this whole epsisoe (it lasted many months) they did stand by their product and they got me a solution I was pleased with. I imagine that their warranty can cause them some issues since it begins upon purchase, and you may buy an itme several years after it left production...yet they must stll honour the warranty.
Anyway thaks to Marklin USA my namesake train is back up and running...at least it will next time I get the carpetbahn going again...but that's a different story.

John

Adrian

How long did you have to wait for a swap or swaps?

Happy birthday mate.

Cheers then

Noel

It took many months about 6 or so for everything to get sorted out. In the course of the "work" I did email Fred Gates and I even sent email to Adams and Unser(?) the marketing guy about the time it was taking.

While the turn around time was not great, in the end they did get me a replacement train. Could the whole response be handled better? Yes. Are they funded and staffed to improve? I don't know. Did I get a repsonse when I emailed Fred Gates? Yes, the reply was quick and promised resolution which they delivered on.

John