Train speed

[Fred Bear]

I run Lionel 1666's powered by a Lionel ZW. Tons of power coming from the ZW, and I have droppers every 4 ft on the track for power, but sometimes the engines still seem to want to drag a bit and really won't run at a consistent slower speed. Could these 1666's just be worn out? or are they made to even run at a slow consistent speed? thanks in advance to all that answer, Jake

[Anonymous]

I am not really sure, so dont really take my advice. It depends. If you use different track companies together that could affect it. like lionel and k-line together/ connected.
Monto

[Fred Bear]

I use all Lionel tin track, the old stuff, but really in good shape stuff too.

[Anonymous]

well, then im no more use. i mean im only 12. lol

[Sturgeon-Phish]

What is the current reading as the trains slow down?

[Anonymous]

Unless you use a newer specialty power supply most post war stuff has very poor low speed performance. Possible exceptions are horizontal motored F-3's that have low gear ratios. These units have three pole motors that will "cog" at lower speeds/voltages. The TPC's units from Lionel can do this and possibly new ZW with the speed step control set to 96 can also.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Fred ! I doubt your 1666s are worn out. They most likely need a good cleaning for the Motor & Maybe new Pickup Shoes for the third rail & Brushes for the Motor. Take them to your local Lionel Shop if you're unsure how to work on them & they will find out what is wrong for sure. Those old engines will run a long time & well with proper maintenance. Take Care.

[EIS2]

I have never seen any postwar engine run consistently slow (compared with today's engines). Most postwar engines have a very limited speed range where they are running fast enough to keep from stalling and yet not flying off the track at high speed. That is part of the charm of operating postwar equipment.

I think the biggest factor in the difference between postwar and modern speeds is the motor in the engines. Postwar engines have AC motors whereas modern engines are mostly powered by DC can style engines.

Regards...
Earl Staley

[ben10ben]

As others have indicated, your 1666s won't operate too well at low speeds. The scales guys use some obscenely huge gear ratio, like 20 to 1(20 turns of the motor to 1 turn of the wheel), to get good low speed performance. This, of course, also trims a lot off of the high-speed end, so you don't see too many toy train manufacturers using such a ratio.

Most toy trains, particularly spur-geared engines like the 1666, are around 4.5 to 1. This ratio gives you high top speeds, but the fairly low-torque motors stall very easily unless there is a good amount of voltage on the track.

[phillyreading]

Along with cleaning the 1666s, have you tried cleaning the track itself? Dirty track will cause alot of problems and make you think it can be something else!
Lee F.

[cnw1995]

I wonder if you have a grade (inadvertent or designed) on your layout that may be slowing the train - that is what I built into my layout deliberately because I enjoy jockeying a throttle.