Hello , I've bought yet another second hand loco (Dapol class 22), via a dealer on eBay. It needs at least 45% power to move, but it is in very good cosmetic condition. As suggested by the retailer I've very lightly oiled the exposed cogs underneath the  loco, run it for 30 minutes each way and cleaned the wheels. There is some improvement. I cannot carry out any service on the item.

What should I expect from a second hand loco that I've paid £100 for? My other locos ( a mixture of Farish , Dapol and Sonic) all run at between 20 and 30% so the track seems to be adequate.


Geoff

Some models are geared slower but 45% sounds like it needs a service.   Without comparing it like for like with another Dapol 22 it's difficult to tell.  Can you measure the current draw? (run on DC with a multimeter on Amps in series with the track feed).   Does it get warm to the touch when running?
Lubing the gears will only get you so far, it may be other bearings which need lube, it may need the motor commutator cleaning and/or brushes cleaned or replaced (depends on the motor used as to whether or not that's even possible). 

For £100 I'd expect it to be as new.  Was it all nicely boxed with blurb, or does it look well used, wheels dirty or worn, fluff in the bogies etc.? I'd be wary of second hand DC locos priced that high unless it's something very rare and have confidence any minor issues can be fixed.

I have 2 class 22s and they both run very slow when first turned on But do get a bit faster once run ,But I think they do have  low gearing so they  run at more prototypical speed ,after all they were NOT express locos .
Bob

Are you running dc or DCC?

I once won an 08 on ebay, listed as a "slow runner". It was indeed a slow runner, but only because it had been converted to DCC and programmed to run correctly - even on dc.

Not everything runs like a scalded cat.

Thanks for the replies. My big issue is the amount of power it needs to just move - it needs about 45% to very slowly move.

As previously stated £100 is top end for a used loco. You don't say if you're using DC but could the loco be DCC fitted as, to get such a loco moving, it takes a lot of throttle 

NPN makes a good point:  a DCC fitted loco running on DC will require the knob turned up a bit more to "wake up" the decoder.

I've had a couple of bargains that way - a DCC loco for the price of a £50 DC model.

Pop the body off and take a look?

Decoder fitted was my first thought, and would explain the higher price. For £100 it should work well, return if not. They're not hugely rare are they?

Thanks for all of your help and advice. The dealer stated that it is DC/analogue. Looks like I've overpaid again. I think that I'll return it.

Again, very many thanks.