'Sticky' Spectrum J Class

Cooped · January 04, 2009, 10:38:49 AM

Hi

I'm new to the hobby (well, new if you ignore the years as a child playing with my grandad's trains). I've just bought a Spectrum 'Cavalier' set with the J Class loco #613. The lights light with no problem, but the locomotive seems 'sticky'. When the power is turned on the motor hums, but it does not move unless the power is turned to 100% and I give it a push. It then runs ok, but seems to be a little jerky. My internet searching turned up that this particular set may be discontinued, so I'm wondering if it has been stored for a while and just needs some lubrication/running in (it ran for ~ 1 hour yesterday and seemed to ease a little, but still won't start by itself and doesn't move at all under ~ 60-70% power. Otherwise should I send it back to Bachmann, I don't feel like I'm capable of any major surgery on it. Thanks for any help.

Jhanecker2 · January 04, 2009, 12:06:37 PM

To Cooped : Every piece of mechanical or electro-mechanical equipment needs to be broken in to run well. Since the locomotive receives power from the track, makes sure the track is properly assembled , no high spots from track not properly seated to the track clips . Also make sure that the track is clean , as well as the wheels . Make sure that all electrical connections are clean and tight. Run in the locomotive on DC , both forward & backward and at various throttle postions , with and without the passenger cars . Hope this alleviates some of the problems . By the way the reason the Cavalier may be discountinued is because the heavyweight passenger cars are not currently in production . New molds are being made and it takes quite a while to carve the cavities for parts into mold steel . John II.

Cooped · January 04, 2009, 03:11:09 PM

Thanks John II. That's what I was hoping to hear. I bought a 'regular' Bachmann 'Berkshire 2-8-4' recently that worked well out of the box and I'd heard you should test a locomotive in the store before buying which I didn't do with this one so I was a little worried. Track seems ok as other locos are running fine so I'll persist with the breaking in. It was only the set with the #613 loco that I found reference to it being discontinued. Other numbers appeared to be readily available. If anyone knows what happeded to the 613 I'd be interested to know.

Yampa Bob · January 04, 2009, 03:40:01 PM

The cross head sometimes has a tendency to bind on the guides due to large driver cam/piston rod angle. Refer to this picture and lightly lubricate the guides/crosshead, and other moving parts.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~trumpetb/loco/locoworks.html

Good luck

lmackattack · January 04, 2009, 04:20:11 PM

it does sound like a binding issue. regardless a new engine should not need 100% power just to get it to move. Most times a new engine only needs 1/4 power or less to get it going and after a few hours run in it needs less to get it started. Do whats suggested and then let us know.

Trent

Cooped · January 05, 2009, 12:55:55 PM

Thanks everybody for the advice. By the end of yesterday it was beginning to start moving by itself without the need for a push and was able to keep running, albeit very jerky down at ~60% power so we're making progress.

What lubricant do you recommend? Do I need a specialist lubricant like the stuff Bachmann market or is something like WD-40 ok?

By the way I love this loco (and will even more when it works right) and my wife thinks I'm nuts. We went to the 'Worlds Greatest Hobby on tour' show this weekend and my wife wanted to know if the free to get in under 16 counted for those who thought they were under 16!

Dan

Yampa Bob · January 05, 2009, 01:37:38 PM

Dan
You should use only lubricants that are plastic compatible, such as made by Bachmann or similar. I use Labelle 108 light oil, seems to work well.

Use lubricant very sparingly, a tiny bit goes a long way.

Cooped · January 05, 2009, 09:14:06 PM

Ok, I lubricated the parts you pointed out, and as if by magic the thing started up by itself straight away at just ~40% power. Bingo. Feeling happy now, thanks everyone.

Dan

lmackattack · January 05, 2009, 10:18:21 PM

glad its breaking in. 40% is still kinda high in my opinion but lets hope it improves!

Frisco · January 07, 2009, 09:04:53 PM

Quote from: lmackattack on January 05, 2009, 10:18:21 PM
glad its breaking in. 40% is still kinda high in my opinion but lets hope it improves!

DCC equiped locomotives usaly start about here.

Yampa Bob · January 07, 2009, 09:42:21 PM

Dan,

Give particular attention to the crossheads. I have seen them bind up on the guides enough to actually break the crosshead retaining clips. Very light lubrication, but often.

Good luck

lmackattack · January 08, 2009, 12:55:35 AM

Quote from: Frisco on January 07, 2009, 09:04:53 PM
Quote from: lmackattack on January 05, 2009, 10:18:21 PM
glad its breaking in. 40% is still kinda high in my opinion but lets hope it improves!
DCC equiped locomotives usaly start about here.

I guess some DCC locos will start that high but most of mine start around 10-15% if I have not yet messed with the Start voltage.

If he is still on DC I think 40% is too high for a smooth running engine

Cooped · January 08, 2009, 04:27:47 PM

Hi

I am still on DC. My 2-8-4 Berkshire also has DCC and starts at ~ 40%. I also have an older IHC 2-6-0 Mogul which starts easily at ~ 25% power. Could it be my power pack is a little lacking? Maybe also the size matters? The J class and the Berkshire are significantly heavier so I would assume need more power to start moving?

I really appreciate all the advice here by the way. Going to buy a 4x8 board this weekend and start putting something up a little more permanent.

Dan

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'Sticky' Spectrum J Class