Model Railway Forum

Hi.

I own a number of Mainline and older Bachmann locos ie where electric pickup is through the split chassis and have a continual problem

The problem is that after just an hour or so of free running after cleaning out the chassis wheel guides and wheel axles (with isopropyl) and re_oiling (I'm using an old product I've had for ages called 'Modoil'), the engines starts to stutter again.

If I dismantle again the oil is now black with deposits from the metal on metal action of axle on chassis.

Would something like peco powerlube or Bachmann e z lube be any better do you think and if so which is best?


Many thanks

Sounds to me like you are using far too much oil. The general rule is if you an see the oil you are using too much. It should be used sparingly and applied with the tip of a sharp needle.

I only lubricate my locos about once a year or even less and then only of I think they need it.

Good thought but I'm only using the tip of an unbent paperclip to put on a tiny drop.

I'm wondering if for these locos I might need something heavier? I tried sewing machine oil prior to no avail.

All my other locos (old and new) are fine

Hi
I had exactly the same issue with very old Bachmann split chassis locos. These had very poor Cooper or Phosphor Bronze? bearings which wear away in no time, leaving the Mazak chassis material as the bearing and pick ups, which it is not suitable for! Eventually I got rid of all my old split chassis locos.

ha,me too
get rid, ii's a as simple as that, there are many many 'modern' loco's available to run o DC with an option to upgrade to DCC if required.

I had a split chassis loco which gave me problems. In the end I sold it on eBay as a non-runner and the purchaser left me positive feedback saying it just needed oiling, which was certainly not what the problem was!

teedoubleudee wrote: ↑Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:24 am I had a split chassis loco which gave me problems. In the end I sold it on eBay as a non-runner and the purchaser left me positive feedback saying it just needed oiling, which was certainly not what the problem was!

That reminds me of the time I bought a loco cheap on ebay as a non runner TWD. When it arrived it ran perfectly and has done ever since. All it needed was a buffeting in the post.

sandy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:42 pm

teedoubleudee wrote: ↑Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:24 am I had a split chassis loco which gave me problems. In the end I sold it on eBay as a non-runner and the purchaser left me positive feedback saying it just needed oiling, which was certainly not what the problem was!

That reminds me of the time I bought a loco cheap on ebay as a non runner TWD. When it arrived it ran perfectly and has done ever since. All it needed was a buffeting in the post.

Was it from me? LOL

Ha Ha, TWD no not yours it was a Hornby 8F. Not a Bachmann .

I've had similar issues with n gauge split chassis locos. I now clean out all of the oil residue and lube with graphite powder. Works better than oil ever did.