Old Equipment

[Anonymous]

As I've mentioned in other posts, I have been very fortunate in that I recieved a lot of old (everything was purchased in the 1970's) N Scale equipment (approx 130 cars, 10 engines). 6-8 of the engines run, but compared to a new engine, they are very loud and some squeek.

I'd like to improve their performance and keep them for sentimental reasons (I remember them from my childhood). I don't know squat about fixing an engine. Any suggestions? I really don't want to spend more than a new engine would cost. Maybe I just have to accept that their use will have to be very limited?

[der5997]

From what I've read about N locos of the age you describe, you would be better off putting them on display (I don't mean in cases, but on the layout.) If you have room for an engine service facility, the tracks around it could have your 6 or 7 parked on a permamne tbasis. My [2c] would be to use the $ you mention to get a new loco instead of buying trouble trying to fix the unfixable.

I bought a pig in a poke loco on eBay, and it's only good for just such a use. I've a Bachmann Locomotive Maintenance building kit, and this Klunker is going to be in there, probably with it's body hoisted and it's inards removed (replaced by my mock up of a diesel engine and generator etc. (Suitable blocks of wood or foam painted light green, yellow, etc.)

Hope this helps.

[leighant]

Would probably be worth cleaning and lubricating with suitable non-plastic-attacking materials. If that makes em run better, you're all to the good.

[krump]

if you are a member / regular visitor / associated with, the members of a local Model Rail Road Club, then I would suggest that you take the old equipment locos (in particular) and ask them to show you how to rejuvenate the items so that they run at their top performance. Club members may appreciate the chance to show their skills, and delight in assisting you at the same time. Much can be accomplished in a night by only a few members... it could be a club effort that takes them out of routine, allowing them to re-focus also. And you will learn a lot in the process.
You might consider adding a DCC decoder to a particularly significant locomotive, and then you'd be set for possible future plans.
Most of my HO train equipment is also from the 70s - 80s (past 20 yrs in storage), and I intend to get the local club involved in making my current inventory running smoothly. Benchwork at present though.

if you are not connected to a local model rr club, see if you can find some time to join them - you'll learn a lot, avoid a few mistakes, and have fun in the process... my experience is that if you express an interest in the Model RR Club and in the hobby, the rewards can be great. Your contributions will be appreciated also.
Mostly, have fun!

cheers,
krump

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

From what I've read about N locos of the age you describe, you would be better off putting them on display

Hope this helps.

You can strip some of them down into various stages, shells, frames, trucks and park
them on a storage track for junkers. Should be well weathered representing 35 +
years of service .

[der5997]

krump: You wrote in part
Most of my HO train equipment is also from the 70s - 80s (past 20 yrs in storage), and I intend to get the local club involved in making my current inventory running smoothly.

It's the age of the N scale locos that are the potential problem. I agree, in HO it may be worth the trouble, depending on the manufacturer, but these are old and very likely troublesome N.

[orsonroy]

Most old N scale freight equipment will run just fine, especially if you change out the trucks and couplers to Micro Train sets. Old N scale steam and diesels, in general, aren't worth fixing. Modern N scale engines (built over the past 5-10 years) run 10-100 times better than virtually anything built between the 1960s-1990s.

My dad's an N scaler (has been since '68), and was pretty attached to his old Aurora and Trix engines, until I started buying him newer Atlas and Life Like engines. Most of his old engines will now never see daylight again, and those that will are really only the shells on new mechanisms.

Taking the old engines apart and giving them a thorough sceaning and lube job should help their performance...some. But considering you can find brand new N scale diesels for $20 (Trainworld) and the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 for as little as $75 (again, Trainworld), why bother?

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

krump: You wrote in part
Most of my HO train equipment is also from the 70s - 80s (past 20 yrs in storage), and I intend to get the local club involved in making my current inventory running smoothly.

It's the age of the N scale locos that are the potential problem. I agree, in HO it may be worth the trouble, depending on the manufacturer, but these are old and very likely troublesome N.

no argument from me, you're quite right - apples and oranges ... [^][:D]

[BRAKIE]

You could fix those old engines up if they are the older Atlas,Mini Trix and yes some Bachmann and AHM..However,you would be better off to put those engines on display and go with the locomotives we have today.You see todays locomotives are far superior to the older ones.Now,as was mention you can still use those older cars.

[sparkingbolt]

How about this approach? I am an HO modeller, but I have heard N scalers lament the lack of dummy engines. Could these oldies be converted to dummies? Retain the electrical pick-ups, take out the motors, add some weight, and wire them to the good running powered locos for better electrical pickup and let them still earn their keep.

I know lots of HO scalers add metal wheels and pick-ups to their dummy engines for this reason. I've always been for anything that will improve the reliable performance of my locomotives. Dan

[Anonymous]

This site may help you in repairing some of the Atlas locos.
http://members.aol.com/dgosha/index.html