Newbie with Older Model Problem

[NewConductor]

Hi all, new to this model train stuff. I bought an old set the other as a place to start and am having a weird problem with the engine.
When i put the engine on the tracks it does not seem to work. however, if i lift the back wheels off the track then the motor starts to turn, if i put the back wheels back on the track it stops again. anybody have any ideas?
the model is quite old, it was the "King of The Rail - Lightning Express" series.
Hope someone can help. thanks in advance.

[the Bach-man]

Dear New,
If it's a steam loco with tender, it's likely that one of the rear axles has come out and been replaced backwards, causing a short. Check each wheel for a center insulating bushing and make sure they're both on the same side, opposite those on the front truck.
Good luck!
the Bach-man

[NewConductor]

Thanks the Bach-man.
I tried to upload a pic of my loco, but it wouldn't let me. can you show me a pic of what you are talking about? please remember that i am new to all this.
If i'm looking at the bottom of the loco, the last two back wheels have rubber on them, they are two sets of four wheel axles, should those back axles have the rubber on the front edge of the wheels? do you know what i mean?

                                %%       %% > (front)
the rubber is on these ^ wheels

                                %%       %%  > (front)   
should they be on these ^ wheels? is that what you mean by backwards?

thanks, i know newbies to anything are a pain, just starting out and hope someone can help me.

[NewConductor]

sorry again. i've been looking online and i have no idea how to even remove the back truck or let alone one of it's axles. again since this is such an old set, i can't even find any info on it, not on the web and not even on your own site. i have no idea what a tender has to do with my problem. i am soo confused! i would like to venture into this hobby, but it seems little is available on the net in regards to this specific problem. if i could upload a pic or two maybe it would help in showing you/me what i'm talking about and maybe come to a solution.

thanks again.

[jonathan]

NewConductor,

Would love to help, but you're going to have to do your best the describe the locomotive.  Is it a Steamer (with tender, usually black)?  Is it a diesel?  You said rubber wheels on the back.  Leads me to believe we're talking about a very, very old diesel with traction tires.

To upload pictures you need a photo sharing account like photobucket, flickr, etc.  Once you have an account, the pictures' links can be pasted to your post.

Regards,

Jonathan

[bobwrgt]

Your set should have an old CN f series engine. Canadian National with red nose and black and white stripes. 4 of the wheels should have rubber traction tires on one truck and 4 wheels onthe other truck without tires. Pancake motor driving one truck only. The truck without traction tires picks up current from the track. The metal wheels without tires are on a plastic axel so they are insulated from each other. If you have a short i think you will have to remove the shell and have a look inside at the wires and the motor. THe wire from the RH side should not touch the wire from the LH side going to the motor. If they look OK the short may be inside the motor it self.
Also while inside look at the light and make sure the wires going to it do not tough each other.

Bob

[NewConductor]

hi bobwrgt. yes it is a diesel i believe, it is red with cp rail on it & the # 1412.
only two of the back wheels on the back truck have the rubber treads on them. i'm thinking that is maybe my problem.
does anyone know where i can get these treads? it's around a 30yr old engine the guy who sold it to me said.

[bobwrgt]

You can order new traction tires from the Bachmann parts dept. Best thing to do is call them direct.

Bob

[jward]

my take on this is a bit different. the fact that your locomotive runs when you lift the rear truck tells me that something is not making contact when the locomotive is sitting level. since the rear truck has those infernal traction tires, this means you should take the front truck apart and look for some sort of metal piece which contacts both the wheels and the chassis. on some older bachmann locomotives htis looks like a metal ring folded over. clean both this metal strip and the place on the chassis where it rubs. then adjust the strip so that it sits slightly compressed in contact with the chassis.

that said, older locomotives from train sets, especially those with traction tires, are usually poor preformers. locomotives produced to-day are light years ahead in terms of quality, and can be found online for very low prices. i recently bought a bachmann FT for $17 online. this is a modest investment for a much better locomotive.

[NewConductor]

thanks all. i finaly got it fixed after i brought it to a hobby shop here in Ottawa, it was the Hobby Center on Montreal Road, thought i'd give them a plug since they fixed it for free. lol

it seems the front truck was simply reversed, it had poped out and somebody poped it back in backwards.
will definately be getting into the hobby, looks like lots of fun.

thanks again!