I am a very happy camper today! Last weekend I ran my two Proto GP9s after they sat for over a year on the self. They ran fine, but to my suprise, the once very quiet engines, squealed to the nth degree. Only being a model railroader for a few years, I decided it was time to learn how these things work under the shell. With help from members from this fine forum I was able to remove the wieght from the frame (which baffled me with two hidden screws under two sided tape within the fuel tank) to reveal the inner workings. The truck gear towers were easily disassembled and the gears and worm gears were soaked in warm soapy water and cleaned with the help of an old toothbrush and some round toothpicks to clean the gear teeth. Boy, the gears were dirty with old dark brown greasy guck !! The gear boxes were reassembled and lubed with fresh Labelle 102 gear lub. As well, Labelle 108 light oil was applied to the motor, flywheel, and worm gear bearings and bushings.
Everything was put back together - the GP9s were placed on the layout, and voila, they purred like kittens with no more drive train/gear noises. I am very satifisfied with this small, but significant, accomplishment in my model railroad learning curve.
Badger
I know what you mean there.
I was in a similar spot about 6 years ago. I had an Athearn SD45 that had sat dormant for some time. I set it on the track, and started running it. While Athearn’s have always have had their charicaristic growl, this thing made more noise than a B-1 going through take off. So I had to gulp. and tear the thing apart to find the problem. Some how one of the motor brushes had fallen out, and had became jammed in one of the universal joints of the drive shaft. Re placed the brush, and it has worked like a champ ever since.
James
I too have PK2000 GP-9’s. In fact I must have a dozen or more, and find with a little TLC they may be the finest loco’s in my fleet. One thing that will drive you nuts if you haven’t heard of it is the old “cracked axle” that these engines are famous for. It can cause a wide variety of problems but is easily fixed with new drive gear axles.
Speaking of old Athearn loco’s. I bought two SD-40-2’s in college in 1986. Soon after, I moved away and packed them in a box wrapped in cloth diapers.Some 20 years later I found them and immediatly put them on my track. They ran fine and after a good cleaning and DCC put them in regular service.
Surprising what a little maintenance will do isn’t it?