how do i fix this?

[ForThemPanzerz]

i have 1 tyco 4-8-0 1 MDC climax and 1 bachmann 4-4-0 all from the 70s and 80s and they all have their wheels slip when they are on 0% grade track just wondering if it could be a pickup problem because i see sparks on the pickup wheels.

[richg]

I have these locos. They run very well.
If the wheels slip on yours when they are on level track, 0 percent grade, you have other issues.
Are the tenders dragging? Is one truck on the Climax hung up?
The only time they ever slip for me is up a grade and hauling too many cars or on the level with too many cars.

Rich

[ForThemPanzerz]

I have these locos. They run very well.
If the wheels slip on yours when they are on level track, 0 percent grade, you have other issues.
Are the tenders dragging? Is one truck on the Climax hung up?
The only time they ever slip for me is up a grade and hauling too many cars or on the level with too many cars.

Rich

just checked the 4-8-0 and it needs cleaning and lubing. the climax i ran without the shell  and the motor looks fine and the wheels spin but it goes and slows down and goes and stops i cleaned the track also.

[richg]

Light lub on the 4-8-0. Lub is a film not a lot of gear oil. I use Labelle 102 Gear oil for the two gears.
Pull the plate for the drivers and put a film of gear oil on each drive axle.
The tender axles should not require any lub. I use the Micro Mark truck tuner to clean up the trucks.
I have a couple times used the Labelle 134 powder to see if it would help a wheel point where it fits in to the truck. It might have helped a little
Not WD40 which has lubricating properties but is a solvent, not a lubricant.

For the motor bearings, a tiny drop on the end of a tooth pick for each bearing.

The MDS Climax and boxcab running qualities have always been an issue. Both have the same running gear. Disassemble the trucks and clean them up. A little gear oil where needed.
My MDC Climax has been upgraded to a new can motor and flywheel drive system.
There is a lot to do to make the trucks run better. Fine tuning.

If you are adventurous.

http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2095/postdays=0/postorder=asc/highlight=climax/start=0.html

Rich

[richg]

I have a book on how to do some upgrades of the MDC loco & truck that I will look up.

Rich

[ForThemPanzerz]

thank you i looked at geared steam and only found how to upgrade the engine. this is way WAY ahead of me also the climax came only with the engine. i also found an article in MR about how to custom detail it... also the engine looks to be in good condition.

[richg]

Do you mean the Climax came without a cab, just the frame and trucks?

Rich

[ForThemPanzerz]

i also forgot to mension that the 4-4-0 is i very bad condition it might just become "rusty good ol number 1 on the rip track" i plan on a cosmetic restoration then making it an old worn out engine lost on an old siding in the woods or in the engine in the park style engine.

[ForThemPanzerz]

sorry i ment to say the locomtive without the box and spare parts.

[ForThemPanzerz]

i was also wondering. does anyone know the road names it had because i see D&RGW and Battle mountain and i know there are a lot more

[richg]

i was also wondering. does anyone know the road names it had because i see D&RGW and Battle mountain and i know there are a lot more

Take your time and look through the below link. That link is about MDC Roundhouse and some are the new Roundhouse sold by Athearn. I scanned and sent him some diagrams.
This guy takes scans of documents from others and keeps them for anyone who wonders about details of older products.
I have sent him some from old models and even the newest Bachmann models I have.
Click on the Literature link for other brands. His list is not exhaustive. It is what others send him.

http://www.hoseeker.net/mdcmiscellaneous.html

Store the link in Favorites and take time to read as much as you can.

Rich

[NMWTRR]

The MDC Climax has the same chasis as the Box Cab.

One issue I found with my boxcab is the drive dog was slipping on the shaft. This can cause very erratic operation.

I drilled a very small hole through the end of the plastic drive dog and into the shaft. Actually drilled them at different times but got them close enough to use a small piece of a paper clip and super glue to tie them together. This helped but it is not the best runner.

The link shows a photo on how it looked after I finsihed attaching the drive dog to the shaft.

http://s902.photobucket.com/albums/ac226/nmwtrr/Box%20Cab%20DCC%20conversion/?action=view&current=Pinuniversaltoshaft.jpg

I understand there are other things that can be done to them to improve their running capabilities. I think others posted info regarding a book that might help.

The tyco 4 4 0 also was not the best runner but looked great. Best of luck 

[ForThemPanzerz]

i think i found the soultion a brill trolley chasis.

[richg]

i also forgot to mension that the 4-4-0 is i very bad condition it might just become "rusty good ol number 1 on the rip track" i plan on a cosmetic restoration then making it an old worn out engine lost on an old siding in the woods or in the engine in the park style engine.

I assume you have the 4-4-0 with the motor in the tender driving the loco via a drive shaft.
Look at the below link.

http://www.55n3.org/cars/tender_wipers/

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/bachmann_4-4-0/wipers/

Harold has a lot of pages. Click on the different links. Store them in Favorites.

Rich

[ForThemPanzerz]

to clear anything the 4-4-0 is bachmann and its in very bad condition, the 4-8-0 is a tyco engine and it looks very nice.