Loss of Traction

[duncan1_9_8_4]

Regarding a LGB Spreewald tank loco, that ran perfectly well with reasonable traction for pulling long trains. Why would the above loco seemingly become pathetic at pulling. It was fine, and over a short time, the traction has become so poor that the loco can barely pull its own weight. The tyre has been replaced, twice. Ive dismantled it to take a look inside, and can see nothing obvious. Any ideas? So much for LGB quality hehehe. Help.

 

[KeithT]

If it has skates it is worth checking that they are not sticking and lifting the drivers off the track.

 

[duncan1_9_8_4]

Let me give you a kiss! Thats all it was, thanks very much for that, id checked all but the skates!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KeithT]

Let me give you a kiss! Thats all it was, thanks very much for that, id checked all but the skates!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erm.... Thanks I will pass on that.

 

[nicebutdim]

I had a similar issue with my Stainz. We have a large 'plant' in the back garden and it started suffering with black leaf mould, this built up on the rails and collected on the skates. It pratically glued the skates to the track, resulting in the poor thing almost unable to move. The Stainz loco was the only one that was affected by it, the skates had a little more wear than the other locos and the silver coating had worn through, the mould seemed to stick to the metal underneath.
Sounds very much like you have a sticky or binding skate, either where it springs up and down, or a deposit of something on the contact surface.
Too late!

 

[Steve]

After reading this thread i went and put a small drop of oils on the springs of the skates on my V52 and V200 what a world of diffrence its made thanks for the brilliant tip