My father in law passed some time ago, but designed and built a rail road set to put a Christmas tree in. I am now trying to get it functional to start using it again with my family. The problem is I have power to the tracks but train will not move. The light comes on, on the front of train sometimes and then train will move a very little bit then stop. I have tried different engines with same result.
Please help. Want my wife to be surprised I got her father’s train set running for our family Christmases.
You need to let us know what You are working with......Scale....0-scale 1:48, S-scale 1:64, HO scale 1:87, N-scale 1:60. Lionel train set Etc. What color is the track? Brass, NS, steel. How many rails are on the track, two/three? What name has the controller have on it. You need to let us know what You have? You may clean the track whatever it is, with Isopropyl 91% and a rag, the wheels on the engines too. See if that will help get them moving and let us know, along with the above info.......that will greatly increase Your odds of getting the necessary info from us to get You going............
To The Forums........You will be moderated around Your first five posts so there will be a little delay in Your posting.....so hang in there and try to give us more info about what You have.
Take Care!
Frank
The answer to Frank's questions will help with some specific recomendations.
A lot depends on how long and how the train equipment was stored. A hot attic? A damp basement? for example. Heat will cause the lubrication grease and oil to gum so the locos will not run well. Damp causes corrosion which acts as an insulator to electricity. As a beginning, the track and locomotive wheels will need cleaning. As to how and what to use, it may depend on what kind of equipment you have.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Does the light stay on after the train has stalled? If the light goes out then it’s dirty track and dirty wheels. If the light stays on then it needs the gears cleaned and lubricated. It could be a combination of both. Try cleaning the track and wheels first. Good luck and merry Christmas.
HO scale, Bachmann Set locomotive, Track sorry not a clue. How do you tell the difference? 2 Rails and controler no clue. The entire set was custom built by my FIL and all electrical componints were built by him as well.
light goes out as well.
Clean the track as suggested and let us know.......a lot of black oxidation will come off on the rag, try to get it a little shiny. Turn the engines over also and see how dirty they are and do the best You can with cleaning them. Also look at the wheels on the engines to see if any of them have rubber inserted in the wheels, those are called traction tires and alcohol should not harm them. I'm surprised that there is no name on the power pack(controller) but it sounds like a Bachmann train set, with power pack. Brass track is yellowish looking, NS (Nickel Silver) is silver looking....Steel is a very dull silver. The track may just be heavily oxidized and cleaning it, May get it going again and get the lubrication from sitting to have it run.
zstripe You may clean the track whatever it is, with Isopropyl 91% and a rag, the wheels on the engines too.
Just be careful with the with Isopropyl 91%, in addition to a good cleaner, it also strips paint. If your fingers are wet with the stuff, dry them before handling any painted surfaces.