Remove motor of a GP30

[jleber7777]

Hi. I have acquired a HO Bachmann GP30 new in the box from 1990 (4 wheels per truck). When I first put in on the layout it had a clicking sound. So I am thinking some with the gears but I can't get the motor out of the frame to inspect the gears.
I have remove the 'motor retainer' still the motor will not leave the chassis. Any older railroaders out there who know the secret?

Jim   

[jward]

This is a split frame design. Everything is sandwiched between two frame halves and to work on it you need to separate them. There should be a screw and T nut on each end of the frame. Lay the locomotive on its side with the body off, them unscrew the screws and lift the frame off. Be aware that the frame halves are separated by a plastic spacer washer and be careful not to lose it. You should be able to remove any and all components of the drive now.

[jleber7777]

Thanks for the reply but this doesn't fit my engine.

[jward]

What does yours look like then? Is it one of the old pancake motored engines with the motor on the front truck? If so there's not much you can do to fix it.

[jleber7777]

yes .... but there has to be

[jward]

Those were not designed to be serviced. I once worked for a guy who had a travelling model railroad display, around 1984-1985. We had alot of pancake motored units because he had connections at Bachmann. These power trucks would crap out regularly, often because the motor overheated and melted the plastic bearings. Due to his connection we were able to send in the power truck for replacement rather than the whole locomotive like a normal user would. We did not try to service these power trucks. We did alot of maintenance work in our down time and other makes of locomotives would get teardowns and overhauls. But not the pancake motor stuff. WHen one failed, we'd go to the drawer of U36Bs, pull out a replacement locomotive and be back up and running. As time permitted, we would pull the bad power truck, and put in a replacement from the stock we had on hand. The old one would be sent to Bachmann and replaced in kind.

I don't think the parts store has carried any parts for these, even complete power trucks, in years.

Thankfully, a few years later the Spectrum GP30s came out, and started the upgrade of Bachmann's product line. The old GP30 body will probably fit on a newer, improved drive. You can often find these newer locomotives on ebay for under $50. That is the route I personally would take.

[trainman203]

There's many reasons why people try to revive a corpse rather than face that it's had its time, let it go, and get the astronomically improved new version of the same.  I'm sure they are all good, one way or another, but I never understand any of them.

I have 4 or 5 in the morgue right now.  But every now and then I need a part and there they are.

[Len]

If the loco has a pancake motor the most likely problem is hardened lube on the gears. You can spray some plastic safe contact cleaner, available at most hardware stores, on the gears. They use a small screwdriver against the teeth of the largest gear to rotate it until things loosen up. Once they do, use a tooth pick to put a drop of light oil on the gear shafts. Modern, plastic safe, sewing maching oil will do in a pinch. Make sure the wheels, and track, are clean. Put the loco on the track and see if it runs. If it does, you're in business. If not, time to look for a new loco.

Len

[jward]

There's many reasons why people try to revive a corpse rather than face that it's had its time, let it go, and get the astronomically improved new version of the same.  I'm sure they are all good, one way or another, but I never understand any of them.

I have 4 or 5 in the morgue right now.  But every now and then I need a part and there they are.

I have resurrected many a corpse, if the bones were good. But there has to be something there to work with, and the end result must be a solid, smooth running locomotive. In other words, I am not going to put the effort into something that isn't going to meet my standards even if resurrected. An alternate route is to scrap the drive completely and trans[lant the body on something better and more durable. Diesels are easier than steam because the components are somewhat standardized. As an example, an old pancake motored U36B body can be modified to fit a Bachmann B23-7 chassis, or an Athearn U30B.