What do you do to break in a new locomotive?
Run it just like any other engine i have. Just make sure it is lubricated after about 1 hour of use. It will eventually break it's self in and run a bit better.
Bob
Generally, speaking,,, A half, hour in forward,a half,hour in reverse....
Cheers,
Frank
I use to think breaking in a locomotive was needed but not recently.All I did with my last three new engines is I inspect the engine,coupler and trip pin height and after a quick back and forth on my test track the engine is ready for service.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
zstripe Generally, speaking,,, A half, hour in forward,a half,hour in reverse....
I do the exact same thing.
Alton Junction
For about an hour I run it at DIFFERENT speeds both forward and reverse, and I try to give equal time in both directions.
Jarrell
I do what the manufacturer tells me to do, as far as "Break-in". If no specific instructions are given, I run for one hour in forward and one hour in reverse. I don't vary speed, as I have the ability to run in a continuous loop with varying grades and feel this does more for the "break-in" procedure.
From what I've seen using the above, I would agree, modern RTR locos probably don't need a "Break-in" excepting I feel more confident in the locomotive, if I follow a "Break-in procedure and the loco passes that procedure.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
For at least 15 mins each:
I run it at low speed forward
I run it at high speed reverse
I run it at high speed forward
I run it at low speed backwards
I run it at medium speed forward
adn medium speed backwards.
Then, I do this for 15 mins at least;:
Run at med fwd
then at low reverse
then at high fwd
then med reverse
then low fwd
then high reverse
then low fwd.
THen, I repeat the above second set WITH RR cars in tow.
then lube oil, and filter change for another 3000 miles
I do this so it gets a variety of speeds for break in, and doesn't get "wound up" at a certain running speed.
Works for me and mine
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
galaxy For at least 15 mins each: I run it at low speed forward I run it at high speed reverse I run it at high speed forward I run it at low speed backwards I run it at medium speed forward adn medium speed backwards. Then, I do this for 15 mins at least;: Run at med fwd then at low reverse then at high fwd then med reverse then low fwd then high reverse then low fwd. THen, I repeat the above second set WITH RR cars in tow. then lube oil, and filter change for another 3000 miles I do this so it gets a variety of speeds for break in, and doesn't get "wound up" at a certain running speed. Works for me and mine
Seems pretty simple! I run for 5,000 miles before Oil and Filter, however 3,000 if all in reverse.
Make sure is is properly lubricated 1st,
then
Run it like you stole it!
Seriously, unless you are talking about some old open frame motored, cast gearbox piece of ancient history, just run it! Slick lubricants + plastic gears+ can motors = stuff that runs til you're sick of looking at it. 40 years in the hobby, and I haven't worn one out yet. I've upgraded some, I've dropped a few, I melted one (don't ask), but I've never worn one out.
Karl
NCE über alles!
I feel it is worthwhile to give steamers a break in period, as there are many moving parts that may not have been properly tightened when assembled at the manufacturer, like: side rods, connecting rods; or, the valve gear. I've had the screws holding these items back out, so running in both forward and reverse for a while, I would say is a good idea and would do the same as I previously described, an hour in both directions, then remove and closely inspect the tightness of each screw and re-lubricate and she should be ready to go.