Running in new locos

Welcome to the Forum.

It means simply running the loco for an hour or two forward and then the same in reverse to ensure the mechanism and motor are working properly. This can be done either on a continuous layout or on a 'Rolling Road', which is basically several sets of rollers on a base; these can be moved about to suit the wheelbase of the loco. The loco can then be operated continuously without it moving an inch, so it's particularly useful if you don't have a continuous layout.

This 'running-in' procedure gives you assurance that there are no problems with the loco - or may show it needs to be returned because of a fault.

By the way, don't assume a brand-new loco is ready to run; it may have been stored for some while (months) since being made and the oil may have dried out. Clean and oil as per the maker's instructions first.

Regards,
John Webb

QUOTE (kingsnorton @ 17 Jul 2008, 22:39) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Now this is scary stuff, I have a friend that lubricates his locos with a spray of WD40, he wants to run his locos on my layout but I am hesitant to go along with this as I shudder when I think what it may do to traction tyres, very sad but I tend to put him off.
Almost certainly it will make them hard, brittle & then useless.

I would also be careful & not run your stock on his layout - the stuff is bound to be gunked up everywhere.

WD40 will actually make things run very well for a short time - than it will creep everywhere (after all that's what it's designed to do) to where it's not wanted & dry up - you may just as well spray the loco's with diesel/turps.

Many outlets sell oil in a syringe type dispenser so you can get just a tiny drop where needed. Oils/greases for fishing reels is supposed to be good as they are fine lubricants designed to stay put. (Must get some to try).

QUOTE (Expat @ 19 Jul 2008, 00:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi zmil,

Don't make us beg. What's it called and where can I get some ??

Expat

Not sure if it is still available Branded "Electrolube" "silicone grease compound"

I bought that at a electronic's supplier about 10 years ago

From memory the local 2nd hand train shop had a special lube as well which they recommended as it
had a solvent that did not affect plastic's
Hope this helps
Zmil

Hi Zmil,

I hope you're not talking about the stuff Peco used to sell as Electrolube and then changed the name to Powerlube.

There was a thread back in April in which Electrolube was rated as the second worst loco killer after WD40.

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index...?showtopic=5126

Thanks anyway,

Expat

Its not the hornby variety
But I would not spray anything near a loco as most propellants are solvents of some sort.
Thats why I spray on a piece of paper then use only a drop.
I used to use an oil based variety by Bitron ,dip the watchmakers screwdriver in the bottle and use one tiny drop only
But it still found its way to the brushes
the silicone grease has not done so.
The reason I use the electronic's variety is that it is a very fine grade.

I had a bit of drama recently with a 2nd hand loco that I had in storage for a long time
It still had smoke fluid in the suethe smoke machine
The fluid is also oil based and it was everwhere on the loco inside and out
including the insides of the motor.
That stuff is just as bad as wd 40
Regards Zmil

QUOTE (Expat @ 19 Jul 2008, 16:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Zmil,

I've found an Electrolube web site with several products that look as though they may be suitable.

Is yours either of these by any chance

View attachment 520 View attachment 521

Expat

Hi Expat
It looks a bit like the red can , Mine may be an older version
I'm sure someone will correct us if using this can lead to other complications
but the solvent (propellant) is not good for plastics
Ive pulled motors apart , to have a look ,after using this and did not find any inside the contact area where the brushes are

Regards Zmil

QUOTE (Expat @ 19 Jul 2008, 16:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Zmil,

I've found an Electrolube web site with several products that look as though they may be suitable.

Is yours either of these by any chance

View attachment 520 View attachment 521

Expat

***I'd still rate the oils and greases sold often in fishing gear shops as the best for what we need. The brand I know for these is superlube, and they come in tubes about the sie of a mid sized toothpaste tube. High in teflon, very stable and they stay where they are put. Price is reasonable too.

Richard
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