Filthy wheels

[Dorsetmike]

I received a non runner Peco Jubilee off Ebay this morning, as advertised it didn't run at all, so started diagnosis by applying power direct to the motor which ran fine, so next checked connection from coupling to motor, also good. Back on track - still dead, applied power to back of loco wheels and motor, runs OK, move power to loco wheel treads - dead. On inspection I found almost 1mm depth of crud on the wheels. Did a quick clean with a wire brush in the minidrill, back on the track runs but still a bit hesitant when running slow, so a further attack on whel treads with a craft knife and glass fibre brush, all systems go!

So saved meself quite a few quidlets with half an hours work. I seem to be lucky with Ebay non runners, the best for me was a blown bulb giving a dead short & tripping controller, that one probably saved me not far short of £100, this Jub probably £40 - £50

[Delboy]

Hi Mike,
Well done. Looks like sometimes it is worth taking a gamble on e-bay for a non-runner.
Dennis

[paulprice]

Im amazed at the state of rolling stock wheels get into especially plastic ones.

I have had a number of people asking me to look at their stock because its not running correct, and all it needs is a wheel clean. Some modellers only seem to think loco wheels get dirty

[silly moo]

I've bought a couple of second hand locos and some rolling stock that had 'dirt traction tyres' some of them even worked with the crud in place but were much better with a good clean. I usually use a cocktail stick on the dirt as it is kinder to the wheels.

[paulprice]

I like surgical stockings, sorry I mean spirit for rolling stock wheels 

[Newportnobby]

I like surgical stockings, sorry I mean spirit for rolling stock wheels 

Just wet some kitchen towel with your spirit of choice (I use IPA*), lay it on a spare piece of track and run your stock up and down a few times and then be horrified at the muck that gets removed

* Not Indian Pale Ale which, of course, is not a spirit - unless your name is Hiawatha and you live on the shores of Lake Gichigami

[ntpntpntp]

Nah, can't be bothered with fluids and stuff if I've got several trays of stock to go through.  As I've probably written before, a nylon burnishing wheel in a mini-drill at low speed held slightly off-parallel to the wheel tread.  Spins and cleans quickly, and being nylon not brass it doesn't damage the wheels (plastic or metal). 

As others have said, I just don't get why some folk let their stock build up thick layers of crud.  Do they never look underneath?

[Newportnobby]

As others have said, I just don't get why some folk let their stock build up thick layers of crud.  Do they never look underneath?

Have you tried getting between the rails of code 55 track to lie down and have a looksee recently?

[railsquid]

My absolute favourite "non-runner" was a Minitrix German electric loco, of a type which can switch between rail and overhead pickup. As advertised, it failed to run when placed on the tracks. I located the switch to change the pickup source to "rail", and off it went 

Second favourite is a Kato TGV sold cheaply as a poor runner by a shop who let me try it out - it was indeed a poor runner due to the aforementioned "crud tyre" effect, but a few minutes work at home with a cotton bud and some IPA-like fluid soon solved that.

[ntpntpntp]

... "non-runner"... I located the switch to change the pickup source to "rail", and off it went 

Yep, been there had an ebay bargain like that.  WIN!!!    

[Young Bulla]

New tooling Farish princess coronation with screeching motor fixed with a drop of glue to the motor mount for £45!

[Farmer chap]

The best way i've found to clean rolling stock wheels is to use a Bachrus powered wheel cleaner.

I avoid using the supplied sponges soaked in cleaning solution ( IPA ) prefering instead to run the

bogies separated from coaches or wagons on the powered roller and hold a fibreglass pen against the

wheel sets, works a treat!

Ian

[ntpntpntp]

Fibreglass pens are very effective (I use mine a lot) but the residue is a flippin' irritant!

[Bob Tidbury]

Farmer Chap Whats a Bachrus powere wheel cleaner what does it look like and where o you get one and how much did it cost?
Bob Tidbury

[ntpntpntp]

@Bob Tidbury   methinks he refers to this - which is no longer available by the look of it?

http://www.bachrus.com/wheeldoctor.php

I use their rollers in N and G - very handy.