I’m back for the season and time to post about things. Is it just me or do some of you others noticed that with the Postwar stuff that some seem to run better backwards than forward? I’ve thought about maybe switching wires to see if something was weird in the e-unit, but don’t want to waste the time if there will be no effect. I’ve seen this on 2 sets of Alcos, 3 NW-2, 3 2motor F-3’s. Any body else seen or have this going on?
On the Alcos & the switchers, there is a specific reason for this, & it’s not electrical. And the switchers usually run better “cab forward”.
On F-3s, there is not really be any reason except for wear & tear(running A LOT more in one direction than the other), as you should have two “mirror image” twin motors… and switching wires won’t make a lick of difference. Proper maintenance will help, as well as replacing worn axle bushings(the usual wear item on F-3s - the wheels start to rub the truck frames in one direction as they wear).
Rob
It is stated in some repair manuals that if a loco has one motor brush worn more than the other it may run faster in one direction. This seems particularly true with 2025,2037 etc, locos with that type of motor. There definately can be a difference when the E unit is locked out. My GP-7 goes much faster.
Roger
Yes, that is one of the maintenance items…
Rob
I can understand with a 2 motor should be the same, but 1 motors??? Unless it has something to do with the torque going 1 way and not the other? But that’s above my paygrade! Im just diggin the snot outta these new William’s I have gotten in the off season, and leaving the Lion behind in the closet this year.
It does have to do with torque. The lower bearing plate on the stamped(1955 & later) motor assemblies is notorious for coming loose from it’s stakings between the sideframes and vibrating. There are a number of posts in the CTT archives here about this fix - use the search function.
Rob