Hi All - bought a LNER "Mainline" J72 at a show as a non-runner (£5). The strip down revealed one brush holder clogged solid with carbon, the other fitted with an under-size copper rod (!), plus the obligatory filthy commutator.
After the clean-up, I lubricated the geartrain with a small amount of Vaseline grease and the coupling rod pivots with a spot of '3-in-1'. I have since fitted new springs and brushes (PS3 from Peter's Spares).
The motor was, initially, reluctant to start on the bench, but, by gently easing the geartrain it then ran quite nicely in one direction, but in the other, ran for a short while then stopped.
Initial thoughts were that because I had tightened the spring retainers down hard the springs had become coil-bound ? There is quite a lot of 'slop' in the coupling rod pivots - I suspect it may be a 'high-miler' ?
Does it just need running in or should I back off the spring retainers a little to lower the spring/ brush pressure ? There is also slight eccentricity on the middle wheel-set on the bench...
As the loco is 'split chassis' (Mazak) I did not want to lubricate the wheel /axle assemblies without first consulting the experts. This is my first 'proper' attempt at loco maintenance so, any help gratefully received.
Best regards,
Dave
I think it's sorted, or, at least alleviated...
A bit more cleaning, lubrication, running-in etc did the trick. I think the rest is just "WEAR" (gearbox, axles, wheels etc).
It'll never be a 'star performer' but, as a little stand-by tank engine it'll be fine. I expect, back in the day, every railway had one ?
Happy New Year everyone,
Dave
This 009 forum is perhaps not the best place for 00 locos.
However I have a green version of one of these, it was purchased for and lives in the display case!
I just got it out and it runs very well! But that is not suprising as it has only ever been used a couple of times.
That said the pancake type motors in these locos are known to be a bit unreliable, it is also worth making sure it does not interferer with Freeview TV transmissions when it is running as locos with pancake motors tend to be far worse in this regard than metal frame or can motors.
As a matter of interest the model dates back to 1976.
It was also quite common for the rear wheel gear to split, just like 'muff desise' on the N gauge Bachmann 0-4-0's, and for the plastic axles to split also.
Thankfully 3d replacements are available via shapeways:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/AVZWE2WNJ/split-frame-gears-for-mainline-oo-locos?optionId=40492953&li=marketplace
Hi Brian - it's a fair cop ! My only excuse is that it will run on the standard gauge part of the layout which shares a station (but not a platform) with the 009 section...
Hmm, now you come to mention it the rear wheelset is a bit wobbly. I'll need to check the axle. Presumably, I'll need to split the chassis to check the rear wheel gear ? (I was hoping to avoid that !).
No complaints from the family yet about TV interference, however, I've got a little box of RF chokes and capacitors that I could employ should the need arise.
Good to know that Shapeways stock spares for this loco - thanks for the link.
Regards,
Dave
Peter's spares do replacement axle tubes for the Mainline J72 as well as brushes.
If you undo the screws at the bottom of the chassis you should be able to remove the plastic keeper plate - it is quite tight.
The wheels and axles will then drop out.
Check the tubes for splits which will cause the wheels to come loose.
Rodney
https://www.petersspares.com/index.jsp?searchStr=mainline+j72
Thanks Rodney - I'll pop the plate off and have a look.
Think I'll leave the gear train alone for now and see how it runs on the track.
Cheers for now,
Dave
Dave, you have a message.
Rodney