My question is how long of a breakin period do Brass engines need before pulling a consist? On my Lionel and MTH I usually run them forward and reverse both slow and fast and medium in each direction for about an hour. On this WEAVER I have about 2hrs of running it in different directions and speed. Do I need more time doing this?
I really like this engine and it does look cool. I’m a big fan of smoke deflectors(elephant ears}
laz57 - I’d be careful about sending it to LA-LA land. The ground is notoriously unstable out there. One good 4.5 jolt, and that brass engine might wind up looking like a crushed Miller Genuine Draft can.
Now, if you really want to make sure that steamer is ready for the mainline, a run on my CONNELLSVILLE SUB-DIVISION would let you see what kinda muscle those drivers are packing. It’ll put a little hair on that firebox, too.
2 hours was plenty. Unless it has NS markings, then you are subject to MAJOR pile-ups…
Great looking engine, that would work for me also. Last fall at York I spent most of my money with Justrains on Thursday, they will wheel and deal especially if you are buying more than one item. Wonderful folks to deal with, they are the real deal.
Dang, don’t send this beauty all the way out to Cali. I’ll be happy to run it forward and backward on glorious 027 track - straights that is - among the trolleys.
But seriously folks, I like Jim’s idea.
I find I don’t really have a formal ‘break-in’ scheme like Laz’, I just run an item when I get first get it. Usually forward only too. I don’t even remember to check the lubrication unless something is wrong. What do the rest of you do?
I always lube the gears and oil the wheels before running any train, new or used. The new steam locomotives get a good dose of smoke fluid as well. My usual routine is then to run them slowly in both directions for a while to see if anything binds. If not, I run them for an hour or so with nothing behind them, forward and reverse. Then short trains, then add a car or two, etc.
Laz, if you send it to the Buckeye Model Train Testing Center in Roger’s Corners, Ohio, we will test it such that you will be assured that it is running properly. After testing, we will provide you with an beautiful authentic framed testing certificate for your train room wall. Just think how proud you will be, hanging that certificate on the wall next to your OTTS certificate.
Buckeye Riveter; You mentioned sending the certificate but didn’t say anything about returning the engine. Even after 4 Harvey Wallbangers and part of a bottle of wine, something doesn’t sound quite right about the deal you are proposing.
Now Laz that tender doesn’t have NYC on it and we know how a fan of NYC you are so you better send it this way and I’ll do a custom paint job on it for B&O [:-^] NYC . It may take a little while to get it back to you but I’ll get it back to you in say 20 or 30 years Months [:-^] what ever I’ll get it back to you sooner or later (I make sure in my will it says you get that engine as you loaned it to me) [swg]
DOUG yes I think I’ll have to send this around the USA for all to take a few laps on their layout Don’t know if I want to send it south first or not. RT would get it first but would he send it to BUCKEYE? Or maybe to NC and that rascal would probably keep it, cover it in GRITS then bring it up to HARRISBURG when he invades PA. in the spring? Or should I send it to the well established testing facilities of ROGERS CORNER? Probably get heisted in WILLOBY first and then confiscated for the model railroad club? Or even find its way to change the NPR to something o the order of BLUEBERRY HILL RR? Wow, I’m in a bind? Maybe I’ll keep it here and do like JIM said add a car every time I run it?
Woa…This is too funny. I noticed last night JusTrains has them in the Oct CTT for 650. I got to thinking of it seriously. Now you really got me thinking!
