Your experience with the Atlas Mehanotehnika (Yugo) 0-6-0, Tips & Tricks

What is your experience with the Atlas Mehanotehnika (Yugo) 0-6-0 (this lil’ fella), and do you have any special tricks on how to tune it (I am rebuilding one into HOn30)

Hi,
I have experience with “N” Mehanotehnika locomotives, because I had a bunch of them during my childhood – this was the only available brand in these times in Yugoslavia.

Unfortunately, except pretty good appearance (details, painting), I have nothing good to report. Motor is the biggest problem, it is too weak, heats up very quickly, and very often, heat was so strong that it melted plastic part holding rotor axle bearing. Furthermore, the whole drive train is made out of plastic, which would not be such a problem if it would be made precisely. Hence, drive train is not “easy going”, which causes additional strain to already weak motor.

To conclude – my suggestion is avoid using this locomotive for foreseen project. But, if you still want it – replace the motor. And completely disassemble the locomotive, clean all gears, and lube them with high quality lubricant (Labelle or similar).

And have fun[:)]

Hrvoje