Running In

Staggy1970 · April 05, 2019, 04:51:48 PM

Hi all, I've purchased my first loco, (I purchased a Farish start set in 2010 370-051 and an LMS 0-6-0 from EBay years ago) it arrived today Farish 372-310, Merchant Navy Class "East Asiatic Company" it's stunning, absolutely gorgeous, my question is about "running in" the manual says 1 hour each direction moderate speed, is this correct. I'm going to end up skint! There's so many locomotives I want! Thanks

RailGooner · April 05, 2019, 05:02:02 PM

Yep, the manual is correct. And yes, you're going have to get used to having no money. :'( And after spending all your money on models you'll want to take care of them by follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Hailstone · April 05, 2019, 05:05:54 PM

I would agree with the running in instructions, but add the following:

1. sparingly lubricate the motion (crankpins etc)

2. if running in on an oval of track, make sure that you turn the loco around halfway through each hour so that the loco goes round the curves in both directions (left and right) this will show up any side play issues.

3.on Dapol locos check frequently for the motor getting hot, if so, stop immediately and allow to cool.

hope this helps,

Alex

ntpntpntp · April 05, 2019, 05:18:55 PM

1 hour each way might be a bit long, considering the rumours some of these modern coreless motors only have 100 hours life

Seriously though, running in is important and yes you should turn the loco regularly and run at varying speeds. I usually start off at a slower speed for the first few minutes to give any factory lube (or lube you've just applied) a chance to spread around rather than fly off the gearing and worms.

If you can create a figure of eight test track that's ideal as it causes the mechanism to have to turn to either side.

Staggy1970 · April 05, 2019, 05:41:12 PM

Thanks all, I was going to make a largish oval, 2nd radius curves and a few ST-11 straights. Do you suggest 30 minutes clock/anti clockwise running funnel forward and then tender first? (This sound like I know what I'm talking about LOL!)

honestjudge · April 05, 2019, 06:13:29 PM

The manufacturer instructions are quite clear, if you chose to follow them is up to you.

Newportnobby · April 05, 2019, 08:29:55 PM

Quote from: Staggy1970 on April 05, 2019, 05:41:12 PM
Thanks all, I was going to make a largish oval, 2nd radius curves and a few ST-11 straights. Do you suggest 30 minutes clock/anti clockwise running funnel forward and then tender first? (This sound like I know what I'm talking about LOL!)

That's fine but, as others have suggested, turn the loco through 180 degrees after ½ an hour and then repeat. Also be aware the loco may not like set track small points.

RailGooner · April 07, 2019, 03:13:55 PM

This is my test track - just knocked up over the weekend. A 245mm radius figure-of-eight of Kato Unitrack glued onto a laminate of 15mm styrofoam insulation sheets.

ntpntpntp · April 07, 2019, 08:28:31 PM

Quote from: RailGooner on April 07, 2019, 03:13:55 PM
This is my test track

Perfect!

I use my Kato K3 set, a figure 8 with gradients and a bridge rather than diamond crossing. I bought the set many many years ago from Rails of Sheffield at a show (Derby maybe?), just to see what Unitrack was like. It's useful in that I get an idea of a loco's ability to handle gradients.

Bealman · April 08, 2019, 12:00:50 AM

That's exactly what I'm looking at setting up! Most of my "new" locos are 5 years old or more, and apart from the odd short burst on the Beal and Castle Eden, have just been sitting in their boxes.

I hear that they still deteriorate over time. Is that true?

RailGooner · April 08, 2019, 12:15:03 AM

My collection is in a similarly underused state. So I hope it's less deteriorate and more reversion - back to factory(ish) condition and requiring of running in again.

railsquid · April 08, 2019, 02:17:21 AM

Quote from: Bealman on April 08, 2019, 12:00:50 AM
That's exactly what I'm looking at setting up! Most of my "new" locos are 5 years old or more, and apart from the odd short burst on the Beal and Castle Eden, have just been sitting in their boxes.

I hear that they still deteriorate over time. Is that true?

Assuming the locos are stored in a suitable environment (dry, fairly constant temperature, no exposure to sunlight) the only issues I imagine you *might* come across are:

- lubricant drying up
- lubricant gunking up
- traction tyres deteriorating
- Farish gear weevil infestation

I have acquired a fair amount of stock from various manufacturers, a lot of which was second hand and some of which has clearly been sitting in storage unused for years, sometimes a bit of maintenance is needed but almost nothing has ever deteriorated into a mechanically unusable state.

The exception being Farish locos, which seem to be able to develop split gears regardless of whether they're running or not.

Bealman · April 08, 2019, 02:26:50 AM

That's so very true! Farish should take out a patent on the process!

railsquid · April 10, 2019, 07:38:31 AM

Quote from: railsquid on April 08, 2019, 02:17:21 AM
...

- Farish gear weevil infestation

...

The exception being Farish locos, which seem to be able to develop split gears regardless of whether they're running or not.

Just for the hell of it, I'm going through my British locos, as most of them have been boxed up for a couple of years - guess what, I've already found one split gear.

Newportnobby · April 10, 2019, 09:33:43 AM

Quote from: railsquid on April 10, 2019, 07:38:31 AM
Quote from: railsquid on April 08, 2019, 02:17:21 AM
...

- Farish gear weevil infestation

...

The exception being Farish locos, which seem to be able to develop split gears regardless of whether they're running or not.

Just for the hell of it, I'm going through my British locos, as most of them have been boxed up for a couple of years - guess what, I've already found one split gear.

Just the one?!