The stuttering Corpet

[pugwash]

I have made mention before of my Corpet which will only run in fits and starts a few times, today I finally dragged it to the dreaded bench and got an old transformer and two bits of wire to do some checking (as opposed to testing).
So with power applied to the skates everything whirrs away merrily in both directions but apply power to any of the wheels and there is nothing. I peeked behind the wheels and the bullet contacts look fine (the skates are hardly worn too, I think it is a nearly new loco).
I would have thought the power pickup from the skates and wheels would be common, does anybody know differently and if it could be a loose wire on the wheel pickups or do I have dismantle the poor thing?
If anybody has had one of these to pieces I would also appreciate knowing which screws have to be removed as there seems to be quite a few underneath and surely they don't all need taking out.
Ta

 

[Gizzy]

Ian, the bullets and the skates are indeed commoned on LGB locos.

I haven't had one apart though, so I can't help you there, but if you could post a photo of the underside, we may be able to help....

 

[whatlep]

Puggy

It reads as if one of the brass contact strips in your Corpet's gearbox is not making contact with any of the carbon "bullet" pickups. Rather unusual, but it's possible. If you can turn the loco upside down and support it firmly, you need to undo the screws holding the gearbox cover in place. The edges of the cover should be obvious: they'll be close to the outer axles. Remove the cover and check the brass strips are correctly aligned (again, should be evident) and there is no build up of oil or grease preventing the pickups from supplying power to the brass strip and from there to the steel connector at one end of the gearbox. DON'T try to run the loco without the gearbox cover in place! It'll likely be a bit of trial & error, but, since we know power is getting to the brass strips from the slides, the problem should be localised.

I should also have mentioned that checking your "bullets" are not worn or covered in grot where they eet the backs of the wheels is a good idea too.

Be VERY careful when doing all of this not to nudge the geared axles and so throw them out of quarter. It may help to have someone hold the loco against a firm upright surface for you if you haven't a secure means of keeping the loco safely upside down.

 

[pugwash]

It was indeed one of the contact strips, a little tweak and things are back to how they should be. I can't see how it moved in the first place, but still I have one Corpet now running smoothly with a couple of carriages in tow.
Thank you, gentlemen, I owe you a beer or several.

 

[Gizzy]

I'd love a beer mate, but I'm not allowed to drink on duty!

Pleased you've got your Corpet sorted....