Full Version: Cure for Shaky Locomotive Syndrome?
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I have a previously flawless running locomotive until august when some weird inexplicable things happened to it. I put a new truck in, and mounted the motor more solidly, but now it literally shakes. It uses an Athearn drive and GE-C trucks with a new can motor. The whole body rumbles around, and it does not pick up power well, moving at varying speeds on straight and level track.

I don't know what happened to it. Everything in it is new, and even the wiring was re-done. I am told that the drive might be the cause but i cannot figure exactly what it is. When i run the engine without it's shell, i cannot see the issue, though it is possible one of the drive shafts are to loose or to tight, due to the nature of the locomotive.

How can i restore my engine to more stable running?
Sounds like binding in one of the trucks. Have you checked for the cracked gear problem?
nachoman Wrote:Sounds like binding in one of the trucks. Have you checked for the cracked gear problem?

I just recently cleaned and tuned the gears on this engined. i also re-lubricated them and stuff. I'll check, but i still think this has something to do with things above the frame.
You said you replaced one of the trucks. If this started after the truck replacement, look there for the problem.
You said you mounted the motor "more solidly".
This could also be the cause
At this point, do one thing at a time, and fully explore each result. If you "shotgun", replace a multitude of things, you could miss the problem, and more likely create a whole new problem. Go slow, and look for any changes as you proceed.
A good starting point is to go back to the original parts, and then proceed one step at a time.

For all......If something like this happens after a period of normal usage. Go slowly, try one thing at a time, record the results of each change.
It helps to know all the details when it's time to troubleshoot a problem.
Well, the shakes have been cured in the locomotive. a combination of a poorly mounted motor and a mis-aligned center axle (six axle truck) caused the shaking.

though it turns out it still needs some work to run propery, it appears the only "real" work left to do is simplify or re-route some of the wires. Whenever i put the locmotive shell on, the thing looses power due to what i assume is the wires rubbing up against the engine (it makes the squeaky sound of wire insulation being rubbed. the shell wouldn't be touching the drive train). However, the thing does run smoothly and powerfully without it's shell.

That however is a simple fix, and i need to wire in some new headlights anyway! thanks for the help guys!

happy thanksgiving