Industrial Rail Trolley SLIPPING

[Anonymous]

hi folks,

I have a window that runs 0 Gauge trains for their Joshua Cowens original purpose--advertising! I run all sorts of trains with different themes all year round. So I like prewar, postwar, MTH, Marx--whatever as long as it RUNS. We have a tutoring center and families LOVE the trains. (www.fluencyfactory.com)

I purchased a little Industrial Rail Trolley a while back, and it ran like a champ for some time. And got a LOT of use, as we tend to be RUNNERS not collectors. However it has reached a point where the wheels slip like crazy and do not get sufficient grip to propel the trolley. IR is defunct and I do not remember seeing traction tires, so has anyone else had this problem with those cute little trolleys? Got any ideas for a solution? I cleaned carefully with alcohol, both tracks and wheels, but no go so far.

We are putting our Christmas window out this weekend, and I had figured on a short spur with the trolley doing a lot of back and forth reps...

THANKS!

Richard

[spankybird]

Hi Rickard,

I have one and just check it. You are correct, no traction tires. I have never had any problems with mine. Check and make sure you don’t have any oil on the track or the wheels, that may have come from another engine.

tom

[brianel027]

Richard, the company United Hobby Distributors sold off the Industrial Rail line to HoobyCo, which still maintains the web site (www.industrialrail.com). There is a link there for service. Just for your info, another company, Costco, has supposedly picked up the IR tooling and dies.

Cleaning the wheels of your trolley won't help with traction, although it will help greatly with over conductivity and running of the unit - as will cleaning of the track.

On your trolley, a couple of suggestions: the traction tire may have worn loose over time. There are glues you could use. I use 3M Carpet Tape to adhere traction tires. Cut a piece and place on a scrap piece of glass or a metal or plastic surface cutting board. Using a metal ruler and a sharp razor blade, cut a thin piece wide enough to fit in the traction tire groove. Make the piece slightly longer than the diameter of the wheel... you can trim it as you adhere it to the wheel. Then slip the traction tire over the wheel with the carpet tape.

I have several of the small Lionel Industrial Switcher engines with the traction tire removed entirely, but with much additional weight added to the engine shell and frame - and they run and pull just fine.

You might also try adding some self-adhereing lead tire weights from an automotive parts store like NAPA.. The weights would need to be placed above the motor truck either on the frame on adhered to the shell.

Also try putting a couple of wires to the pick-up and the ground (wheels) with the trolley upside down so you can watch the wheels and the gears. Make sure everything is running... it isn't impossible that you could have some gear slippage.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

gear slippage is what i was going to suggest also

[lionelsoni]

Richard, are the non-powered wheels completely free to turn?

[Anonymous]

THANKS for the ideas. I guess there was no traction tire, so I am going to have to figure out some other solutions. The non-powered wheels are turning freely. I THINK that the gears are OK, as I can see the wheels spinning on the track. BUT SOMETHING must be wrong now that was not before, because the trolley barely moves at all even with the wheels spinning wildly.

I am thinking about trying the weights over the wheels. If that doesn't work I imagine there is something more serious wrong. Glad to hear someone might fix it, but since it was so inexpensive I can't imagine that the cost of fixing, with shipping, is less than the cost of replacing.

but i HATE replacing....

Richard

[spankybird]

Hi Rickard,

Check and see if there is anything preventing the trolley from setting on the tracks. If you ca see the wheels spinning, then it must not be seated on the tracks.

tom

[Anonymous]

the gauge of the wheel flanges ok?

[lionelsoni]

Is there a grade?

[choochin3]

Have you tried running it in the opposite direction?
My streetcar runs better in one direction than the other.
[banghead]

[Anonymous]

I checked and the trolley is sitting nicely on the track, with the flanges in the proper position betwen the rails. The trolley MAY have a problem with the gear, as when i put my hand on tope of the trolley the noise changes but the lttle thing still spins.

There is no grade.

It does run better in one direction than the other. BUT neither position looks good.

these are great ideas, but I have been able to get it going....

[Anonymous]

oops.

I mean I have not been able to get it going. I suspect it is DOA unless I can send it out for repairs. Parts don't appear to be available anywhere, and I am thinking something is seriouisly wrong with the gears.

thanks for all of your help and ideas! They were uniformily excellent!

Richard