Well it’s Christmas in July here so I broke out Dear Old Thomas so my son and I could enjoy a little run time with his best pal. I have set up a “small” loop of Kato Uni-Trak with an MRC1300 for power since my permanent layout is not yet permanant nor does it qualify as a layout.
Unfortunately, Dear Old Thomas is sick. I am hoping someone has had to do some maintanance on theirs and may be able to offer guidance with the repairs before I completely disect him. He is pretty much brand new. I bought him at auction last Christmas and ran him for no more than 10 hours before packing him up until the fall op sessions. Also, the other engines I am running all seem to respond to the throttle appropriately, Tommy’s wheels are clean, and I have cleaned the track just to rule out the obvious.
I placed him on the track and got no response to the throttle. A few wiggles got some sporatic motion. I took the plastic driver retaining clip loose, checked everything, added a drop of oil, but still nothing consistent. He will run great for a few short moments and then move very slowly at the same speed at any range on the throttle. Some times it’s only an issue in reverse. Some times he will only run in reverse.
I have successfully removed the shell and running boards without breaking anything (thank heavens). When I placed the bare chassis back on the rails, I felt a very noticable shock or electric current in my fingertips. I have never felt current from a motor before in 100’s, maybe 1000’s of repairs - although mostly HO. Based on this, I am inclined to believe that the frame or drivers are shorting out (I am guessing I detect the current due to enough oil residue on finger tips contacting a split frame motor). A quick inspection did not reveal any insulating washers between the frame halves and I have not yet broke out a meter to check continuity to confirm a short. I did not see any pickup strip