Testing old (but new) locomotives

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Many moons ago (15-ish years) I purchased some N scale locomotives, thinking I was going to start building a layout. Well, life got in the way and I never got around to it. Now I’m wondering if they even work. They are technically new-in-box, never ran. But they’ve been sitting for 15 years.

  • x2 Atlas GP-7 w/ torpedo tubes
  • Kato RS-1
  • Kato 2-8-2 Mikado
  • Model Power 4-6-2 Pacific

I want to put together something quick and cheap, just to see if they run. For reference, I’m just getting started with this entire process. I don’t have any power packs, track or anything.

2

Triple-C, are these locomotives DC or DCC?

If you don’t want to invest in a whole system to find out how things are working, you might be able to find a friend or club who would allow you to test these.

Also, if you are near a good railroad hobby shop, they can probably help.

Let us know how you do!

1 Like
3

You can buy a foam cradle fairly cheap. Then put each engine in upside-down and test them with a DC power pack (you can probably get one cheap at a local RR flea market) or maybe a couple wires connected to a 9V battery. Touch the wires to the wheels and see if they turn.

If you want to actually give them a break-in run, a circle or oval of Kato Unitrack is easy to put together and run on a tabletop.

4 Likes
4

They are DC.

I’ll probably have to put something together myself. The local club died years ago, and there isn’t a dedicated train store for 100 miles. I might put out a feeler on Facebook to see if anyone can help. I know several HO guys, but we dirty n-scalers are a reclusive bunch.

1 Like
5

hard to do any testing without a power supply and some track.

a 12VDC wall wart is sufficient to provide power using some alligator clips

there are some inexpensive PWM controllers with reversing switching switches available on ebay

of course you can order some flex track and rail joiners

i just purchased some used atlas-kato HO engines because they run so smoothly

2 Likes
6

There’s your answer. Pick up a cheap power supply a length of flex track.

Rich

1 Like
7

You’re a bit limited, but that almost sounds like the fun part. You get do it yourself, and worth the effort if you are planning on using them. Assuming older trains are stored properly, time itself is usually not the culprit, which is why so many older trains remain operable and available today. There are guys that can fix anything but that costs money. The smartest thing i ever did was, following that other advice, was to build a short stretch of “test track”, with my 57 startup transformer, and you can test anything. All available inexpensively. Good luck!

1 Like
8

These are really nice locos! I would definitely lubricate them before trying them out..

Simon

9

And don’t forget to clean the wheels.

Regards, Chris

10

Since they’re N-scale, I would use Kato Unitrack rather than a piece of flextrack, as they make pre-wired straight tracks and track joiners you can use. Not sure if you want to use straight 12 volts, not sure how much power an N motor is designed for? That’s why I suggested a 9-volt battery.

11

My LHS buys trains from estates. They usually have used DC controllers for sale..