Hey does anyone have an opion on using roller sets to break-in locomotives? Is it better to run the engine under its own power around the layout? I ask this question because I live in an apartment and at the moment do not have the luxury of continuous running. Thanks.
Just run them however you can forwards and back Nothing special
The good thing about actually running the loco around the layout is to see if there are any areas it has trouble on. But if you don’t have the room then remember the main thing is to get the loco loosened up, so another method should work. Remember the most important rule of the break in-don’t run a new locomotive at full speed right away.
IMO, the continuous run break in works well. If all you have at present is roller sets, they will have to do. If you can get a continuous run set up, even a circle of track, go for it.
It is better on track work because of the varying pressures as the trucks twist and turn. Also the weight shifts on the loco whjich gives a better breakin. If you use rollers, don’t just let it sit there at one speed. Vary the speeds as much as possible which alters the pressures in the gears