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Offline BrandonVA  
#1 Posted : 29 May 2012 21:50:13(UTC)
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BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Hi all,

I just got a Marklin 3304 (BR80) from eBay for a pretty low price. Very nice locomotive, very heavy. Condition is very good.

Does anyone else have one of these? I am interested in your impressions of how it runs. I took the coil out of mine, everything turns freely. With the coil in, it's hard to turn the wheels by hand. When running, the engine is fairly slow, but it can still get up to a decent speed. It's also fairly noisy (I did lubricate it). It also seems to "wiggle" as the valve gear torques from side to side.

If you have one, how does it run? What should I expect? Normally after cleaning a loco, replacing the brushes and oiling I can get them to run pretty well (as done with this one), but I thought this model may be...well...quarky?

Thanks,

-Brandon
My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III
My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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Offline kbvrod  
#2 Posted : 29 May 2012 22:28:11(UTC)
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kbvrod

United States   
Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 2,597
Location: Beverly, MA
Hi Brandon,all,
Used?Did you check the brushes?Or just tested out of the box?

Dr D
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Offline RayF  
#3 Posted : 29 May 2012 22:31:46(UTC)
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RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,871
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Hi Brandon,

I have the 3604 digital version of this loco. When I bought it I also had to do a bit of stripping, cleaning and lubricating, but now she runs like a dream, and is quite quiet.

I am considering installing a 60760 high efficiency kit to improve performance, but she runs OK as she is.
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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Offline intruder  
#4 Posted : 29 May 2012 22:38:07(UTC)
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intruder

Norway   
Joined: 16/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 5,382
Location: Akershus, Norway
Hi Brandon

I have three of these locomotives; from the train set 2866, a 33042 and a 33043. They are all converted with 5-star high power motors.
I did not run the original versions very much, but the modified ones run very smooth.
Best regards Svein, Norway
grumpy old sod
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Offline BrandonVA  
#5 Posted : 30 May 2012 17:01:06(UTC)
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BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Ray,

I have replaced the brushes. Does anyone else have one that "wobbles" a bit at high speed? 5 star would probably do wonders, but I should have just looked for a 3504 :)
My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III
My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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Offline RayF  
#6 Posted : 30 May 2012 17:05:06(UTC)
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RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,871
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
I've not noticed excessive "yawing" motion as you describe. Could the back to back measurement be wrong on your wheels? If the wheelsets have been pushed in on the axles it could be that there is excessive play within the track gauge, causing the loco to "wiggle", as you describe it.
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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Offline BrandonVA  
#7 Posted : 30 May 2012 17:11:31(UTC)
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BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Ray - thanks. I'll have to check tonight. If I remove the valve gear, can I just pull the wheel off the axle if I want to try and re-seat it?

-Brandon
My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III
My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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Offline RayF  
#8 Posted : 30 May 2012 17:20:16(UTC)
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RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,871
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Originally Posted by: BrandonVA Go to Quoted Post
Ray - thanks. I'll have to check tonight. If I remove the valve gear, can I just pull the wheel off the axle if I want to try and re-seat it?

-Brandon


Compare it to another loco, and don't try to make any adjustments unless you're sure that is indeed the problem.

The correct way to pull the wheel off the axle is with a proper "wheel puller" device. To try to prise it off with a screwdriver may damage the wheel (Though I have done just this myself, but I've been lucky).

To a certain extent it is normal for locos with a short wheelbase to "yaw" as they go down the track. Even real locos do it. If you can't get hold of the proper tool perhaps it's best to accept that the loco does wiggle a bit.

Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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Offline StuartA  
#9 Posted : 02 June 2012 22:33:28(UTC)
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StuartA

United States   
Joined: 22/01/2011(UTC)
Posts: 121
Location: Long Island, NY
I have a 33041 version (Delta decoder 3-pole AC motor) which I upgraded with the 60760 Digital 5-pole DC motor kit. It runs great, and I slowed down the top speed with the MS2 control (20% max). I haven't noticed any wobbling, but sometimes it sounds like its thumping, especially when pulling a train up grade.

Stuart
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Offline H0  
#10 Posted : 02 June 2012 23:29:42(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,456
Location: DE-NW
Hi, Brandon!
Originally Posted by: BrandonVA Go to Quoted Post
When running, the engine is fairly slow
It's not a bug, it's a feature - Märklin advertises this as "Slow speed gear drive."

You could look for a 3704. A 3504 won't run digitally and will need a new armature when it's converted to digital, so it does not offer any advantage over a 3304 for digital users.

Have you checked the traction tyre? Locos run wobbly if a traction tyre is mounted imperfectly.
Regards
Tom
---
"In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS
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Offline BrandonVA  
#11 Posted : 04 June 2012 19:15:31(UTC)
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BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Tom,

Thanks, I'll check the tires tonight and update for common knowledge tomorrow. I may just change them :)

I don't run digital, so 3504 I think would have been ok...but 3304 was a good deal, so it's what I got. I suppose in prototype this locomotive wouldn't have had a very high top speed. I may just need to let it do a few laps so it warms up and cleans out. It just doesn't "feel" quiet right when running, hard to explain. Just a bit stunted. Every loco is different though, this may just be the "personality" for this one.

-Brandon
My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III
My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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Offline BrandonVA  
#12 Posted : 05 June 2012 14:06:32(UTC)
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BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
An update: Tom was right, the traction tires are causing the "waddle". My powers of observation may have been a little weak, the locomotive wasn't actually moving from side to side, but rather one side was lifted up and then the other as it went around on grubby traction tires. Unfortunately I haven't replaced them yet, my Marklin "precision" screwdriver/nut driver set from the 80s is missing a hex socket small enough for the valve gear bolts on this little guy. Does anyone know the size?

Also added some more oil, and ran her on a few laps at medium speed. Seems like everything is running well now, quieted down within expected norms. I will say this little loco is surprisingly strong for it's size!

Thanks!

-Brandon
My (new) layout progress - BrandonBahn III
My previous layout - Brandonbahn II (click here)
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