Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Mantua 4-6-2 runs great in reverse, grinds in forward

9788 views
33 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2018
  • 26 posts
Posted by Hexxoid on Saturday, February 23, 2019 10:24 PM

ricktrains4824

This may sound dumb as a box of rocks, but, did it run well before the washer was added to the motor?

If so, I would pull it back out, and try it without said washer. 

It just might be something simple, like this, that works as the fix.

Though, I say it it sounds dumb as a box of rocks, as I can't think of any reason that it would be that new washer, other than its the only thing "different" on the locomotive.

 

Hey, thanks for the reply! I did a decent amount of testing before deciding to add the washer, so the washer actually did help. It's a very thin washer as well. I don't think removing it will make much change.

 

And no, your reply was not as dumb as a box of rocks. Big Smile Thanks again!

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Saturday, February 23, 2019 10:19 PM

Hexxoid
I added a very small washer to the motor to make it not have any back/forth play.

Sounds to me that when you eliminated the motor shaft play you eliminated the ability of the worm to engage the worm gear properly.  Remove that washer and see what happens.  Sometimes less is not better.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, February 23, 2019 10:06 PM

I'm not a steam loco guy, but it sounds like you should remove what you did to it, thinking you were "fixing" it, like the washer, the shims, etc., and get it back to the way it was before you took it apart.

The cleaning I'm sure did it good, but maybe the extra things didn't?

Mike.

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Saturday, February 23, 2019 9:59 PM

This may sound dumb as a box of rocks, but, did it run well before the washer was added to the motor?

If so, I would pull it back out, and try it without said washer. 

It just might be something simple, like this, that works as the fix.

Though, I say it it sounds dumb as a box of rocks, as I can't think of any reason that it would be that new washer, other than its the only thing "different" on the locomotive.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    November 2018
  • 26 posts
Mantua 4-6-2 runs great in reverse, grinds in forward
Posted by Hexxoid on Saturday, February 23, 2019 9:36 PM

I recently purchased an old Mantua/ Tyco 4-6-2 pacific off eBay. I took it apart, cleaned it, lubed it, etc. The wheels and rods turn perfectly fine by themselves in forward and reverse with no binds whatsoever. I added a very small washer to the motor to make it not have any back/forth play. I tested the motor, and it ran perfectly fine with absolutley no problems. I connected the chassis to the motor, and I had to loosen the motor mount screw to even get the loco moving. I ended up putting a shim so the motor was slightly away from the mount, which made the loco move, but it makes a grinding noise in forward, but is smooth and quiet in reverse. Again, there is little/no back and forth play with the motor shaft, everything is lubed, and all the electrical connections have been checked. Ive been trying to fix this for a while, by doing things like taking out the worm gear and reversing it, moving the worm gear on the shaft, loosening the screw more, and even changing the motor brushes to no prevail. It will always grind when going forward. Can you guys please suggest what I should do to get this loco running smooth? Thanks! Big Smile

UPDATE: I fixed the issue! I simply switched the old motor out in the locomotive with a motor from one of my Mantua 0-4-0s, and the 4-6-2 is running very smooth & quiet! The funny thing is, the motor from the 4-6-2 also works in the 0-4-0 with no problems for some reason. Thanks for all the replies guys!

Tags: 4-6-2 , gears , grinding , Mantua

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!