Bachmann Class 37 stalling on points

2220 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by BobB, Feb 7, 2009

BobB

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2009

I have a sound equipped class 37. The locomotive is the heaviest in my (all diesel) fleet. The problem is that it tends to hesitate and occasionally stall on some points (Peco, medium radius insulfrog). It's the only loco that does it, always in the same places. I'm somewhat baffled because it picks up on all six axles. The Bo-Bo's with four axles can go so slowly without any hesitation. I've tried putting the Hornby track clips on (the layout was initially analogue but is now digital) with no effect. The wheels have been cleaned so often, that they could be measurably smaller than when new (!).

Anybody got any ideas ?

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upnick

· #2 · Feb 5, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

It sounds like a contact issue here have you cleaned the track recently ?

Soldering the dropper wires to the underside of the track provides a more positive conduction to the rails, as opposed to the hornby clips and will help in general, reliance on the blades of the point to power the rails is not the ideal solution, are you using Insulafrog or Electrofrog points on the layout ?

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FUNGUS

· #3 · Feb 5, 2009

I also have a Bachmann sound class 37 and have no problems on points, I am using peco code 75 elecrtofrog points and have dropper wires feeding the points from a bus underneath the base board.
Steve

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poliss

· #4 · Feb 5, 2009

As you're only having problems with this loco I would suggest that you check that the pick-ups are actually doing their job. Maybe they need cleaning.

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Richard Johnson

· #5 · Feb 5, 2009

*** What place on the point does it stall?

If its as wheels cross the frog, then its almost certainly not a stall but a momentary short as the wheel crosses the frog tip and just for a moment bridges the tips of both frog rails at once. This is a (another) common problem with peco insulfrog. The symptom will be a hesitation/stop and a sound restart....

Two suggestions:

1/glue a 10 thou strip of styrene to the inside of the check rails and blend to match the rest of the check rail. This will prevent the short.

2/As an experiment, either put a wee bit of tape over / or paint the frog tip for about 5 or 6mm with clear nail polish or superglue and let it try. This will temporarily prevent the short.

regards

Richard

QUOTE (BobB @ 5 Feb 2009, 23:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have a sound equipped class 37. The locomotive is the heaviest in my (all diesel) fleet. The problem is that it tends to hesitate and occasionally stall on some points (Peco, medium radius insulfrog). It's the only loco that does it, always in the same places. I'm somewhat baffled because it picks up on all six axles. The Bo-Bo's with four axles can go so slowly without any hesitation. I've tried putting the Hornby track clips on (the layout was initially analogue but is now digital) with no effect. The wheels have been cleaned so often, that they could be measurably smaller than when new (!).

Anybody got any ideas ?

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BobB

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 5, 2009

Hi folks,

Thanks for the help. It turned out to be the pick ups. A couple on either side had a high resistance (presumably dirt) and one on each side are open circuit so probably need easing toward the inside of the wheel. As a first fix, I just put some peco electrolube on the inside of the wheels and it worked fine, no hesitation at all. For a permanent fix I have to take the loco apart, especially to tweak the pickups. Getting the body off is no trouble but I'm not sure about taking the bogie and gear train apart - anybody else had to do this ?

Bob

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34C

· #7 · Feb 5, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

The cosmetic outer frame of the bogie is a clip on one piece component, engaged on lugs either end of the bogie core. All that has to be done to adjust the pick up wipers is to remove this piece, as it acts as a keeper plate, retaining the wheels in the bogie core. If you turn the bogie as far as it will go, and look at the inside end, you can see the lug, and the cosmetic frame hooked over it. You don't need to take the loco apart, stand it on a hard surface with the bogie turned, then from above put a lever into the inside end of the bogie in the small gap between the bogie core and the outer frame, turn the lever to open the gap and disengage the lug, and press down.

This construction is standard for Bachmann bogie diesels, and it is worth knowing this simple technique because pick up wiper adjustment is usually required on at least one bogie in my experience.

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BobB

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 5, 2009

Thanks 34C !

Sounds easy - I'll have a go over the weekend !

Bob

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BobB

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 7, 2009

I unclipped the bogie frames and the problem was imediately obvious. Loads of gunk. It was coloured a sort of orange / pink colour. I think it was the factory fitted grease for the gears that had slipped sideways during transport and storage because almost all was down one side of each bogie. Anyway, a good clean up later, including wheels and pick ups, very light re-greasing where it was needed and heypresto, one class 37 that can crawl over all the points with no hesitation. When it's run in, it should be as good as my class 25's !

Thanks for the help guys,

Bob

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