Locked up AF

[JDBoomer]

Both a 31031 0-6-0 today. Been in a box for 45 years! The front drivers are locked up(closet to piston/steam chest). Any ideas how to unlock them? This is HO.

[rtraincollector]

if this is HO I would goto model railroader side as most of this side is O and S now there are some here that also do HO but most of your HO guys are at the model railroader side sorry I can't be more help but may suggest maybe take apart look for old dry oil/greese and clean it off and put fresh on

[stebbycentral]

If someone has taken the mechanism apart before you, and failed to get it back together properly, there the whole thing could be binding.  If the driver sets are coupled by internal gearing, then it might be that one of the idler gears did not get put back properly.  Also make sure your drivers are properly quartered. 

[richhotrain]

stebbycentral

If someone has taken the mechanism apart before you, and failed to get it back together properly, there the whole thing could be binding.  If the driver sets are coupled by internal gearing, then it might be that one of the idler gears did not get put back properly.  Also make sure your drivers are properly quartered. 

I will second both of those suggestions.  It is probably one or the other.

Rich

[lionelsoni]

In order not to bind, the drivers need not be quartered exactly to 90 degrees.  In fact, practically any angle will do.  What is important, however, is that the crank angle, whatever it is, be the same from axle to axle.

[Banks]

I have several Gilbert HO 0-6-0 locomotives. A couple of them were locked up when I bought them. I think it was dried up lubricant in the wheel bearings. I used rubbing alcohol as a solvent to remove it. Apply a couple of drops to the inside of each wheel and rock the wheels back and forth until they free up. May need to repeat several times. You will get a lot of gunk out. Even from the wheels that are all ready free. When it moves well allow some dry time and re-lubricate.

 

[JDBoomer]

Tahnkyou Banks! Finally loosened up!

[cbq9911a]

JDBoomer

Both a 31031 0-6-0 today. Been in a box for 45 years! The front drivers are locked up(closet to piston/steam chest). Any ideas how to unlock them? This is HO.

The non-geared drivers of Gilbert HO engines "lock up" because of all the gunk surrounding the axle.  Remove the side rod screws and very carefully press one of the drivers off of the axle.  Clean the axle and the axle bearing with your favorite cleaner.  Then re-insert the axle, reattach the side rod on the side with the wheel, and press the other driver onto the axle.  Be careful about quartering the driver.

[Banks]

I'd pull a wheel off the axle as a last resort. I've had good results with the method I described.

 

Are you into Gilbert HO?

They've been my main interest for 20+ years