I was wondering what are the advantages of breaking in a new loco? What would happen if you were to put in service without breaking it in? Mike
First,I check the unit out by removing the hood and then I inspect the motor,drive train,gears,clean and re-lube the engine…I then break in at slow speed-about 30-45 minutes each way…The reason I do this is to “set” the motor brushes.[:D] I tweak the Athearn drives in a similar manner.
The above isn’t really necessary but,I find my engines will run a lot smoother and slower then other modelers locomotives and that has always been my goal. [:D]
[#ditto]
I have to agree. Putting a new loco in service without a break-in period to shake out any problems is like running a rebuilt car engine without breaking it in first. You never know what may happen. With my luck, a gear would break and it would dead on the track on the far side of the layout.
I do what Brakie does and have always had great success with it.
I run steamers almost exclusively, so this is geared more towards them, though I would take a similar approach for diesels.
First thing I do is run the loco for about half an hour right out of the box, each direction. Although the manufacturers usually say to lube the locos right away, there is usually some minimal lube on them already. Running them without additional lubrication does several things: Gives me an idea of the general condition of the mechanism - tight, loose, gimpy (steamers that bind a little at one or two points per driver revolution), or what-have-you. I also find out if it holds onto the track pretty well, or if I might have to do some leading and trailing truck adjustments. Finally, it also allows the drive train components to “lap in” somewhat, making for smoother future performance.
After the initial runs, if the mechanism performs well, I lube the entire mechanism lightly, injecting a bit of plastic-compatible grease into the gearboxes and adding a tiny drop of oil at all rod and valve gear moving connections, including a slight film on the crosshead guides. I check all wheels for proper gauge, then reassemble the model. I check and adjust coupler heights and run in the loco for 4-5 hours under varying loads (different number of cars) and at varying speeds, again in both directions. I have a continuous loop on my layout that makes this easy to do.
If there were clearly mechanism issues (binding somewhere, or if it’s excessively tight or loose), I delve deeper into the moving parts to fix the problem. That can get pretty involved, and it always different for each loco where I have to do that.
I really have to agree with Brakie. Some locos may need lube or the proper type right from the box. Slow and varying speed and direction is the only surefire way to assure wear patterns on brushes and gears.
Bob K.
I have not run many of my locos much or often, as my layout is under construction. But when i finally get to a stage were I will be runninhg trains a lot i plan to run all of them (seperatly) for a while to get them running good. How often should I lub my locos?? They are N scale Atlas. Tim
Just like cars, motorcycles, ATV’s and snowmobiles, break them in like your going to operate them. I have been doing this for many many years and never a problem.
Just drop it on concrete from about 5’, that’ll break it real good.
Tim,I also fool around in N Scale and I also use Atlas engines…I clean and lube mine every 8-10 weeks.We are about ready to start operation at the N Scale club I am a member of so,I suspect I will clean on a “as needed bases” since we have 327 foot point to point main line…
Are you being sarcastic?[:(!][:D]
I know that back in the 60’s when the motors were attached by rubber bands [I kid you not] instead of the worm gears and universal you have today, we had to break them in for a couple of hours. And even now you have to do the same thing.
So much has changed and so much stays the same LOL. [:D]