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Getting cheap locomotives to run well
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One of the first things to do is check the wheel gauge with a [url="http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/98-1"]<u>N.M.R.A. standards gauge</u>[/url]. Adding [url="http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/dto/item116-13002.html"]<u>weight</u>[/url] inside the shell helps. You can use [url="http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=&manu=&item=&keywords=PHOSPHOR+BRONZE+&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search"]<u>Phosphor-Bronze Wire</u>[/url] or a sheet of [url="http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83100"]<u>Phosphor-Bronze</u>[/url] to make a pick up shoe to improve electrical pick up. <br /> Check for binding gears. Disconnect the worm gear from the gear box and pu***he loco across a piece of glass or mirror. If the wheels don't roll, something is binding in the gears (and / or side rods on a steamer). If they are binding, check for any plastic flash on the gears and <i><b>carefully</b></i> remove the flash with a new #11 xacto blade. Lube gear box lightly with a plastic compatable gear lube. <br /> Replacing the motor with a quality can motor is expensive and requires basic mechanical skills. Usually can motors cost more than a new Bachmann loco. <br /> <br /> There is detailed information on tuning up Athearn diesel locomotives on [url="http://hackitup.railfan.net/athearn.html"]<u>The Athearn Maintenance and Upgrade Site</u>[/url]. The information can be applied, more or less, to any model locomotive. <br /> <br /> It's worth a try to do the no or low cost stuff. And if you mess it up, oh well it didn't run very well any way. Paint it with [url="http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=80755"]<u>Rust All</u>[/url] and park it in a locomotive scrap yard on the layout.
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