Best way to break in a new loco?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What do you do to break in a new locomotive?

2

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

3

Generally, speaking, A half, hour in forward,a half,hour in reverse…

Cheers,

Frank

4

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.

5

I do the exact same thing.

6

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

7

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.

8

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 [;)]

[8-|]

9

Seems pretty simple! I run for 5,000 miles before Oil and Filter, however 3,000 if all in reverse.

10

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.

11

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.