very noisy spectrum

[mikey24]

i have a spectrum HO F40PH loco that i picked up as new old stock. when i ran it for the first time it literally sounded like an air plane engine running. i had it serviced at my local dealer hoping that would fix the problem but it's just as noisy as ever. he said that he didn't see any problems that would cause it to be so loud. does anyone have any idea's what might be causing it?

[jonathan]

Mikey,

I have this locomotive, but not in the Spectrum version.  I believe the internal mechanisms are the same.

When first purchased, there was a distinct noise, that I would describe as 'buzzing'.  I disassembled the model completely.  Then looked for anything that was amiss.  Couldn't find any problems.  I put the frame and trucks back together and listened very closely.  As near as I can tell the sound was coming from around the motor or one of the drive shafts.  I re-lubed the loco and ran it for hours and hours.  Eventually the buzzing happened less and less.

Now, the loco will only make that sound when at full throttle.  So I don't go there.  Don't know what the problem is, but lots of running seems to have helped. 

Last time I took it apart, I still didn't see any signs of unusual wearing or loose parts.  I now use the internal mechanism, hidden in a box car shell, to provide added power for long trains.  Works great and stays quiet, as long as I don't go to "10" on the throttle.

Not much help, but I know what you're talking about.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Desertdweller]

Mickey,

Try running the locomotive with the body removed and check how it sounds.  You are probably getting a sound in your drive train that is being amplified using the body shell as a sounding board.

If you are unable to track down the source of the sound, you may be able to isolate it from the shell by using a very thin strip of mounting tape between the shell and the sides of the frame.

Les