Electronics and DCC

I’m having problems with my Atlas Silver Series GP40-2 (GT #6418).  It all started after an accidental derailment that sent the loco falling from the layout to the floor.  Fortunately I was able to get Atlas to fix most of the cosmetic issues for me, but I’m still having trouble with the operation of the loco.  Specifically when running it on my DCC layout, upon just trying to get it to turn over it makes noise I’d associate with coming from my other Bachmann locos or even a loco running on DC (a constant humming sound).  My other Atlas SS GP40-2 (GT #6420) runs flawless and is noiseless in operation.  My question to the forum: is there anything I can do get it to run like it used to…similar to my other GP40-2?

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,

My guess is that when your GP40-2 experienced it unfortunate mishap, it probably bent something so that it's now binding (or binding against) the motor shaft.

The first thing to do is to remove the shell from the misbehaving locomotive, place the chassis on the track, and see if you visually see anything obvious.  (Do the same with your good running GP40-2 and use that one as a comparison.)  Your ears are also your best tool for pin-pointing the source of the noise and discovering what the problem is.

Keep us posted...

Tom

I agree with Tom, something got bent for sure in the fall. 

I removed the shell from the chassis, ran it and noticed during the lower speed settings (1-3 out of 28) that the noise is not as loud, but is still there.  At faster speeds, the noise doesn't appear to be noticable.  From a visual perspective the drive train (gold color cams and plastic associated parts) doesn't seem to turn as smoothly as the drive train in my other loco (#6420) in comparison.  That is until it runs at faster speeds (3+ out of 28) that it appears to run very smooth.

I might want to add that while taking off the shell I accidentally dislodged the front truck from the chassis and had to reassemble it, including repositioning the truck gear assembly back into the drive train plastic tube.  Not sure if this did anything, but like I mentioned above, the buzzing noise was not as loud.

Any ideas on where to go from here? Is there anything that can be done to the drive train? lubricating the gears?

Thanks,

Steve