Pleasant surprise from an e-bay stinker.

[pbjwilson]

Well tonite I finally set up the Christmas layout. Its not as complete as previous years,, but I can still run some trains. We just got the tree set up last weekend and had limited time this week to put together a layout.

Anyway, I had purchased a Lionel MPC Milwaukee Road set on e-bay to run under the tree this year. It runs great but the madison cars look a little big on a small loop of track under the tree. So just on a lark I took my pre-war Am. Flyer set, headed by a 3113 engine, off the shelf to see how it would run on the layout. I bought this set off e-bay last year. The listing read that it was a restored engine. And from the picture it was obvious that it was a repaint. Of course the listing also said runs good. Well when I recieved the set the only restoration was cosmetic. The wheels were swollen, and the motor ran very rough. I had my local hobby shop rewheel it. It ran somewhat better, but I was still disappointed. Every once in a while I would take it apart and clean it, lube it and see how it ran. At best it was rough. Always jerky, loud and lots of sparks.

A couple weeks ago I was working on it and gave the motor  a good soaking in electronics cleaner. Oiled it up and cleaned the rollers etc. It ran a little better but just a small improvement.

OK, so I get the 3113 and 3 passenger cars down from the shelf and take it up to the living room. Didnt expect much but it looked good under the tree. I turned up the juice on the transformer and  it took off nice and smooth. It was quiet, ran smoothly, no grinding noises, no sparking(well a little).  I love it. All I can figure is the electronics spray really penetrated and cleansed the motor.

A great little bonus for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[macdannyk1]

It's a Christmas miracle! :) Nice set, and nice story.

[prewardude]

Very cool story, Paul. Thanks for sharing!

 - Clint 

[Deputy]

Very Paul. One quick question...what brand/kind of electronics cleaner did you use? I want to do this on a couple of postwar S2s I have.

Dep

[pbjwilson]

Dep,

 I used Radio Shack Precision Electronics Cleaner. Number on the can is 64-4345.

[M1Tanker]

Who cares if it isa repaint? My wife would thik it is lovely and that's reason enough to make her happy and allow me to get a train! Merry Christmas!

[M1Tanker]

Who cares if it is a repaint? My wife would think it is lovely and that's reason enough to make her happy and allow me to get a train! Merry Christmas!

[Deputy]

Dep,

 I used Radio Shack Precision Electronics Cleaner. Number on the can is 64-4345.

Thanks Paul. That will save me a lot of searching.

Dep