Growling noise and slowing down

[otftch]

We ran a Polar Express engine at shows and had the same problem.It would slow down periodically for no reason.Sometimes after two minutes,sometimes after an hour,but it would constantly slow down.I lubed it,test ran it,ceckled evrything I could think of.Finally it started growling as it slowed down.I thought the problem was in the motor.In desperation I totally dissasembled it and found the axle shafts were dry,and I was using a needle point oiler.Seems the tolerances are that close.I lubed the shafts while it was apart and have had no more problems.I'm not sure this is your problem but I thought I'd let you lnow.

                               Ed 

[weldman87]

I  would try lubing like Chief Eafles suggested. If the brushers were bad your engine would not run at all or would make a lot of sparks out of the motor. the comutator where the brushes are would be burnt if the brushes were bad. good luck

[Fred Bear]

Thanks, I'll give these ideas a try and see what shakes out of the tree. Do ya'll think it's the brushes? Will that make the motor slow way down, then back up to full speed and make a growling noise? Thanks, Jake

[ChiefEagles]

Check the lube.  Seen them get "dry" and gears try to bind.  Turn it over, put alligator clip on center rooler and the common on the frame.  Run it upside down and see where binding. 

[csxt30]

Jake : if you do need brushes, you can email Jeff at this site;  http://www.ttender.com/

Also, you might try this site ; http://www.olsenstoytrainparts.com/, they are a bit hard to search at & you can email them also.

Hope this helps & someone may come along with another solution .

Thanks, John

[Fred Bear]

I think this is the second time I've written about the same problem, different engine however. The Lionel 8702 Southern Crescent I just purchased growls and slows down at different places on the track, just random places. Does anyone know what causes this? and if it's the brushes, does anyone know what part number for the brushes? Thanks to all, Jake