I bought (won) an N scale loco off of ebay last year “as is” that was made by Lima in the early 1970s. It’s in perfect condition, but only has one speed - extremely fast!. Any suggestions on how I might slow it down. Right now, it’s more like a slot car than a loco, and flies around the track so fast that it throws any rolling stock off that you try to pull with it… I’ve tried adding weight to it, but that didn’t do a bit of good ([:(]).
Tracklayer
Most N scale items made in the 70’s had only 2 speeds, stop and supersonic. Lima’s were really bad offenders in that regard. I doubt that even re-motoring it would slow it down as the gearing sucks.
OTOH, since you didn’t specify what the model is, it might be possible to substitute another manufacturer’s chassis. I seem to remember an article where someone slowed down a Lima F-45 using a different chassis (can’t remember the manufacturer).
Andre
TL, it seems to me the misbehaving loco has a bad moter. you could try taking it to the LHS to have them look at it. (if there into repairing trains). or it might have a bad wire somewhere inside. the gears might not be working properly. there was definetly a reason it was sold “as is” just my[2c] Tim
N scale was like a baby then, so I wouldn’t even bother. I may seem a little bitter towards old locos, but the advances made have been so great, I wouldn’t even bother with anything older than I am.
Matthew
I’ll tell you one thing. If I ever get into loco racing, I’ll gladly put my money on this one because it flies around the track faster than any I’ve ever seen…
I’ve taken it completely apart to find that it’s motor and gear set up is very simple, and like andrechapelon said above, it seems to have just two speeds, stop and bat out of hell!.
Oh well. It’s a shame because it’s a nice looking little loco. It’s a Santa Fe GP-40.
Tracklayer
How do slow it down you ask…a hammer!
sorry, I couldn’t resist![:o)]
Matthew,There was some decent runners in the 70s…The AHM RSD15 was not bad over all nor was the Bachmann GP40.This unit had a split frame drive…Also that MiniTraix FM switcher wasn’t to bad nor was the older Atlas engines…My biggest disappointment was the Atlas/Kato RS3.This unit would stall on the Atlas switch frog.
You’re joking pcarrell, but please don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind…
I bought (bid on and won it) it because I wanted a Santa Fe diesel, and for $9.00, I thought I’d gotten a really good deal, that is until I put it on the tracks and gave it juice. Oh well. Like I said. If I ever go into loco racing, I’ve got a sure winner…
Tracklayer
Just a question for anybody…could it be possible to add some sort of resistor to reduce voltage to let’s say 9V or even 6V?Would it tame the beast or simply have it’s motor overheat?Just curious…
You may be lucky that the Lima loco moves at all. It should be easy to take the shell off. You may find a pancake motor on one truck.
http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/limaf7.html
See if your loco looks like this. Chances are, the motor will short out & smoke. Then you will have a dummy loco. You could try to see if the shell fits any LifeLike or Trix motor. For $9.00, you paid too much.
Ok here’s an idea…
This is the same thing I’m thinking.
One other thing. What kind of power supply are you using? It could be part of the problem. Just making sure I’ve covered all the basses. Joey
I’m using a standard transformer Joey - like those that come with a train set. I do however like the idea of installing a resistor to reduce the voltage. I can try it, and if it doesn’t work or fries it, I’m really not out of much, and will make it into a dummy like Wdlgln005 said…
Thanks for your suggestion.
Tracklayer
Yes Wdlgln005, it does in fact have a pancake motor on one truck. At first, it wouldn’t do anything, then after fiddling with it for a few minutes, it took off like a bullet and has been running like it is ever since. I figured it would burn itself up after a while, but it hardly even gets warm after hours of running. I just keep it around to show friends when they’'re over more than anything. I thought I might take one last swing at trying to slow it down so I could use it in the right way, but that may not ever happen. Oh well…
Tracklayer
Mark,
I didn’t read all the comments. Can you remotor N scale locomotives? I know folks do that to HO locomotives for various reasons. I would think that you could do the same with your 'lil speedster. (Either that, or turn it into a rocket sled…for mice.)
Tom
Buy a Bachmann… It will run as painfully slow as you like. Probably on it’s own…
Ok Tracklayer, this is what I think. Usually “Train sets” come with low quality transformers. So you may want to invest in an MRC brand power pack or another quality brand. A good power pack will change the the preformance of your Locomotives (cheap ones from any manufacturer) entire raillroad. I’m not sure what you have now, just make sure it’s a good one. If you need to know what brands to look for please ask. Joey
Sad to say, most Lima “Pancake” drives are like this. Have you tried adding a drop of oil to each motor bearing and cleaning the commutator? Sometimes this can improve their slow-speed performance (a decent pancake can run very nicely - Hornby have upgraded theirs with a 5-pole armature which together with the diecast frame results in a very smooth slow runner). Also worth checking is the state of the pickups - on a loco that old they may well be full of gunge - overall result being a loco that needs full juice to move.
I also agree with Joey about power supplies - a good one can provide a massive improvement. I have an old H&M power supply that causes havoc with new locos as it doesn’t go down to a low enough voltage to allow smooth starting and stopping…
If it moves at all! [:D]
A resistor isn’t going to do it, I expect. the motor isn’t going until the voltage gets to a certain level, and then, well, it’s going! A power pack with pulse power might improve things somewhat, it hits the motor to make it go, but then lets off to keep it from running away.
While reading this thread, I remembered why I got out of N gauge 10 years ago[:(!].