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badun
Switcher
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 Posted - July 25 2007 : 10:26:57 PM
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I brought my early 70's Spirit of 76 set out of storage recently. When I last used it 30 years ago the engine had "died", so I purchased a Santa Fe engine off of ebay. It's in pristine shape and the seller said it worked (he had nearly perfect feedback so I'm inclined to believe him). However, the train is a no go. I briefly got power to the engine, but only one short burst. I used a voltmeter to test the transformer attached and unattached to the track. The transformer puts out a steady 17.45 volts at the transformer terminals and also at the track junction. Testing the track itself yields a rapidly oscillating 4.5 to 17.45 volts. How can I tell if the transformer is functional after all these years? If it's OK, how do I test the track? Finally, how do I test the engine if all else fails?
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Posted - July 25 2007 : 11:38:38 PM
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Welcome to the forum.
Your old engine is probably not dead, more likely in bad need of a clean and lube.
It looks like your power pack is OK save that it is a trainset one. While it will work with today's offerings, it is somewhat akin to running a Porshe on regular unleaded. The technologies are very different. What brand would the new locomotive be? If the new engine is used,it too, might need a cleaning.
The variable voltage from your track tells me that it needs a good cleaning as well. I find a pen eraser block works fine, just rub it along the track 'til it brightens up. Don't use sandpaper as it scores the track, making for quicker, dirtier, harder to clean track. Don't use steel wool either, the fine steel is easily attracted to the motors, shorting them out.
Hope this helps a bit.
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badun
Switcher
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Posted - July 26 2007 : 09:05:26 AM
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| The new engine isn't new, just new to me. [:)] I don't know the year, but it is a Tyco Santa Fe engine so it's roughly from the same era. I will try the track cleaning trick and also look in the forum for engine maintenance tips. Thanks!
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Posted - July 26 2007 : 12:25:55 PM
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quote:The new engine isn't new, just new to me. [:)] I don't know the year, but it is a Tyco Santa Fe engine so it's roughly from the same era. I will try the track cleaning trick and also look in the forum for engine maintenance tips. Thanks!
Originally posted by badun - July 26 2007 : 2:05:26 PM
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There lies the rub and the peculiarity unique to Tyco owners. Tycos are not purchased for their great running qualities. If you want a good, inexpensive locomotive for some regular running, try an Athearn Blue Box.
Now I'll be hiding for awhile as the rest of the gang rounds up their tomatoes to toss my way...[:D]
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badun
Switcher
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Posted - July 26 2007 : 5:24:33 PM
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| I actually visited this forum several times before making the decision to bring the set out of mothballs. I'm really doing this to make sure my kids are responsible enough to "play nice" with trains before making a real investment in a set. It's not my intention to junk the Tyco set, but if it lasts until Christmas then I'd be thrilled since that would give me an excuse to buy a new one as family Christmas present. Which, of course, means that I'm really buying it for myself and calling it a family gift so I sneak it past my wife. [;)]
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Posted - July 26 2007 : 5:33:50 PM
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Hey Shaygetz:
Let me draw some fire for you:
"A silk purse from a sows ear is how my mother would have put it"! It's simple my first model train not counting the big brothers Lionel NW-2 (CNJ) that I snuck out to play with, was a Tyco. It's all about the nostalgia baby!
-Gareth
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Posted - July 26 2007 : 6:10:06 PM
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The recommendations on track cleaning would be seconded here from me. You might find vast improvement with some cleaning of your older brass rails. As mentioned, a standard pen eraser will produce nice results. Just rub on the rail heads until they shine.
Though the Santa Fe loco bought recently may well be new, as also mentioned, it may not be the answer to your operating troubles as it is also likely a 30 year old TYCO offering.
If you look again on eBay, I might suggest locating a basic new Bachmann engine. The standard line Bachmann engines are nice runners and are available very economically with a bit of looking.
Here's a few suggestions...
Bachmann HO-scale Rio Grande FT-A
Bachmann HO-scale Alaska GP40
Both of the above engines feature 8-wheel drive and will be good solid runners for you. Generally, I find these Bachmann engines can be picked up on eBay brand new for around $25.
Cleaning your rails and trying a new loco would give you a solid starting point to go from.
Please let us know how it's going and Good Luck!
[}:)]
Tony Cook
HO-Scale Trains Resource
http://ho-scaletrains.net
Edited by - Tony Cook on July 26 2007 6:11:38 PM
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badun
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Posted - July 29 2007 : 9:42:02 PM
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We're rolling! I cleaned and lubed the engine and used metal polish on the track (it was REALLY tarnished). The engine is pulling well now. I'm missing enough track pieces to make an interesting layout a bit of a problem, but I definitely met my goal. Which was to test the waters in the household to see if the kids could handle the responsibility and my wife could handle the sight of a train in the playroom. So far, so good!
Thanks for all the help!
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obtrey
Little Six
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Posted - July 30 2007 : 6:13:36 PM
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Sounds like you made a lot of headway getting that loco running. Cleaning the track and checking the rail joiners along with cleaning the wheels on the engine "usually" go a long way to correcting poor running problems on some of the older pieces, I say "usually".
I had a conversation once a looong time ago with my wife about buying so much model rr equioment, so I put a bottle of burbon and a locomotive on the table and asked her (as a joke) which she would rather me do? That night on her pillow was some of her underware and a locomotive with a note. Can you guess what the note said? To this day I'm not sure who the joke was really on.
Bob
In Malfunction Junction:
When all else fails get a bigger hammer.
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