F engine just hums...won't run

[skippygp123]

Was told I might be more response if I also posted this question here (rather than just the general forum for model trains) so, here goes:

My grandson has an older F locomotive.  Don't know the make but it carries the Great Northern RR logo.  Anyway, it won't run.  Just sits on the track and hums.  The headlight works, so I know it is getting some power.  I have tried turning the wheels by hand, but they won't budge.  (Are they supposed to turn easily?  I truly don't know.) 

Have tried other engines and they run fine so I don't think it has anything to do with the track. 

Can anyone shed some light on what might be wrong with this engine and how I could fix it?  (I'll need exact instructions....I'm not very familiar with electrical terms/motors or what things look like but if you explain exactly what I need to do, I can probably do it.) 

Thanks

[richg1998]

I think the engine hums because it does not know the words.

It appears the mechanism might be frozen. The motor is geared down so you will not be able to just turn the wheels. Guess.

It may also be that the motor is not connected, gear loose, maybe an old rubber band drive.

Try to remove the shell. I do not use diesels so not sure how to remove the shell. 

Rich 

[skippygp123]

It is HO scale.  I couldn't find anything printed anywhere to indicate who made it.  He has some rolling stock that is Tyco, Life-Like and Bachmann so it may be one of those.  Sorry I can't be more specific.

[larak]

Something stuck in the gears? I had this happen with a grain of ballast last year.

Karl 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

May even be something stuck in the motor itself. I have an Athearn SD40-2 that had a metal handrail stanchion stuck in the armature.

[skippygp123]

Will try to take the shell off and see what I find inside. 

[wjstix]

Is the engine dark green and orange, or is it dark gray / white / sky blue?? If it's the latter (GN's "Big Sky Blue") paint scheme, it's almost certainly an old Tyco. I had one of those c. 1972, until recent years I don't think anyone else made a RTR F unit in GN BSB. Knowing who the maker is might help us find a solution.