 Joined: 25/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Ontario, Ottawa
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Today I set up a short (900 mm) test track to see whether the locos I recently retrieved from five decades of storage would run. First off, I discovered that I'd better clean the track (also in storage since the late '60s). Used alcohol swabs (thanks to a tip I found on here; I wouldn't have thought of it myself); they worked a treat.
Tried my 3016 Schienenbus, which toddled back and forth nicely after some initial hesitation.
Sadly, the late-'50s-vintage 3001 elok didn't want to move. I suspect years in a trunk in a humid garage have done it no good; the side rods are rusty, so heaven knows what the rest of the mech is like. However, it is getting power: the reversing solenoid works. So I shall take the body off and see if I can clean the mech up; if that doesn't work, I shall send it to a dealer to see if it can be rescued.
Has anyone used WD40 to clean a mech before relubricating?
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 1 user liked this useful post by CDVernell
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,772 Location: New Zealand
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Welcome to the forum.
Often the oil used in times past on locos can solidify over time and stop the gears on a loco from working. You can certainly take the body off and see if you can free the gears up. WD40 will not hurt the loco so you can try that, just don't force the gears in case you end up bending a rod or stripping gears. A degreaser may also help, and I know there are other threads in this forum where various suggestions are made on what to use to free loco gears up.
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4 users liked this useful post by Bigdaddynz
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 Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,594 Location: Spain
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I use WD40 all the time.
But I DO wipe clean afterwards with a dry cloth, and avoid touching plastic- and rubber-parts with it! |
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 Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,875 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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welcome to the forum, after so many years you need a bath.
John |
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Joined: 25/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Ontario, Ottawa
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I tried some lighter fluid on the gears. It seems to have freed things up a little. The loco now jerks a bit when I send a reversing pulse from the controller, but still no sustained motion.
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 Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC) Posts: 2,883 Location: South Western France
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Originally Posted by: CDVernell  I tried some lighter fluid on the gears. It seems to have freed things up a little. The loco now jerks a bit when I send a reversing pulse from the controller, but still no sustained motion. The "sticky gear" problem is likely around the motor shaft. You can easily open up the loco (just one screw on the roof) and just one drop of lighter fluid on the gear side and on the gear itself. Remove the brushes (very important!!) and try to move the mechanism **gently** by turning the wheels. Repeat a couple of times. When freed, wait for the lighter fluid to evaporate, oil lightly, then replace the brushes and she should be on her way! Good luck and Merry Xmas |
Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success! |
3 users liked this useful post by jvuye
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Joined: 25/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Ontario, Ottawa
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Originally Posted by: jvuye The "sticky gear" problem is likely around the motor shaft.
... just one drop of lighter fluid on the gear side and on the gear itself.
Remove the brushes (very important!!) and try to move the mechanism **gently** by turning the wheels.
Repeat a couple of times.
When freed, wait for the lighter fluid to evaporate, oil lightly, then replace the brushes and she should be on her way!
By George, I think we may have it.  Thank you. After applying a dose of lighter fluid yesterday (and removing the brushes), I tried turning the wheels, but they wouldn't budge, and I didn't want to use too much force. However, I have just gone through the process again, and this time (after a little persuasion), everything started to turn. I shall wait a few hours for the fluid to evaporate and then try the loco on the track again. Fingers crossed ...
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Joined: 25/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 19 Location: Ontario, Ottawa
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And the old 3001 is back in motion again ... even if only back and forth on my short test track. I shall have to find room for a circle of track to give it a good long running session. After Christmas, I think. Edited by user 26 December 2015 06:38:35(UTC)
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1 user liked this useful post by CDVernell
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Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC) Posts: 2,883 Location: South Western France
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Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success! |
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