Help! Why's my Loco Whining?

[Anonymous]

My favourite engine (HO) Atlas Master Series GP-7 has started "whining". That's the only way I can describe it. When I got is and for a couple months since it ran smooth and virtually silent. Now it sounds like it's in pain. Last night I oiled the worm (I think that's what it's called, looks like a screw. It's the gear that changes motor rotation into wheel rotation.) Any way, Can I draw on the wealth of experience hear for some advice? What's the possible cause and possible solution(s)?

Thanks,
Trevor[B)]

[Anonymous]

That definitely sounds like a bearing has dried out somewhere - have you also tried oiling the motor bearings? A drop of light oil on each is plenty, the same goes for the worm bearings on top of each truck. Also check for anything (wiring, etc) that may have shifted and is now rubbing on a flywheel or driveshaft. Hope this is of help!

[BRAKIE]

That whine could be one of several things from loose flywheels to lack of lubrication...IF you don't have the experience to take the locomotive apart for a complete trouble shooting inspection I suggest having a repairman to clean and check it for you or contact Atlas..

[Darth Santa Fe]

Sounds like the motor bearings are all dried up. Try oiling the motor bearings and see if that helps. The axles may need oiling too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for you help guys...but some clarification please...I'm a rookie, but pretty good at these sorts of thing...so I think I can do this myself...

The motor is centered between to brass coloured "cans" (is that the right term?) Then two small drive shafts connect from them to the "worm" which then turns the wheels. When you say to oil the motor bearings you mean I should oil the motor where the drive rod comes out of it at each end? Is that right?

Thanks again,
Trevor

[emdgp92]

Those two "cans" you see are called flywheels. These help smooth out the drive a bit. If this drive is like the N scale U25B I was working on last night...try applying a drop of oil to the bearings either side of the worm. Then, add a drop to each of the gears inside the trucks.

[Junctionfan]

I have a Bachmann Spectrum that makes that kind of noise but I kind of like it as it kind of sounds like a real locomotive in its scale.

[Anonymous]

I had a couple of Atlas N scales that would whine or sound grindish. I popped the shells off, and took some Labelle 106, about half the size of a BB on a toothpick, and placed it on the gears next to the flywheels (outer edge) and also placed half that amount on the gears of the trucks. I then run them around the layout about halfway one direction then back to the starting point, pick them up, wipe any extra that may have gotten on the trucks, if it still looks dry I would add just a little more, then run them around for about 5 minutes each direction. When I did this, they stopped whining like a little girl[:p] and they also had a much better slow speed and start and stop action.

[rrinker]

Heed the advice to use a toothpick. Even in HO, the flywheels are a bit close to the motor to allow access to the typical 'needlepoint' tips on the Labelle oils. Plus the drops produced are too large, it only takes a slight dab of oil to be enough. It's easy to add more, but once too much oil is added and you run the loco, you have quite a mess, as the excess merely gets flung off all over the inside of the shell.
A whine or screech is very typical of the motor bearings being dry, vs the usually lower pitched noise of the gears themselves when dry.

--Randy

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrevorG

When you say to oil the motor bearings you mean I should oil the motor where the drive rod comes out of it at each end? Is that right?

If you mean the metal shafts between the motor and flywheels that come out of the motor than yes. That's where you put the oil.[:)]

the motor
O--{}[llllllllll]{}--O

({}=bearings)(--=shafts)([llllllllll]=motor housing)(O=flywheels or "cans")

[Anonymous]

Thanks again gang. I think you all got a handle on what I meant.

Trevor

[Anonymous]

Locomotive whining? It must be a wimp. Slap it silly and tell it to suck it up and pull like man!

Mark in Utah

[AntonioFP45]

Good tips on the bearings.

Trevor, while you're at it, don't forget to give the trucks an inspection as well. Even with high quality Atlas units, the 6000 year old rule still applies: If it's man made; something will wear out or go wrong sooner or later!

Don't leave us hanging though! Post back and let us know if oiling the bearings solves your problem.

Peace.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mark_in_utah

Locomotive whining? It must be a wimp. Slap it silly and tell it to suck it up and pull like man!

Mark in Utah

Not to sure I can get away with that on my N scale engines, I may end up being the one whining [:)]

[Tracklayer]

Don't feel bad. I've got a Kato Mikado that's been literally dunked in lite oil that still makes a whining sound. I figure it's just the ghost in the machine. However, like the guys are telling you, sounds like something's gone dry in yours.

Good luck.

Tracklayer

[dgwinup]

Maybe it had a bad day? Didn't get an ice cream cone? Diaper full? (Yuck!)

Lots of reasons. Glad some serious modelers gave you good answers.

Darrell, quiet...for now