I posted a few weeks back that I got my train and track back up and running after a long hiatus.   The loco is a Bachmann Spectrum GP30 and I've had it for a long time.   From reading up I see that they are notorious for being noisy.  I notice that the truck gears are kinda sloppy and I think that makes for the noise.  I'd call it a "rattle" but not sure that's exactly accurate.  At any rate, I'm not worried about that noise.  What I'm trying to pin down is more of what sounds like a bad bearing.   I can clean and re-lube and get maybe 2-3 hours of quiet running (aside from the aforementioned rattle) and then I begin to start hearing that intermittent bearing noise again.  It remains intermittent but gets more frequent and louder.  Occurs in straights and curves and forward or reverse.   I have searched and found similar reports but didn't find a concensus solution.  One suggested checking the worm gears for binding but mine spin freely.   I've been focusing on the gears in the trucks but I don't believe that's the source.  I believe it may be the worm gear bearings and I'll target those specifically with a drop of lube when it starts acting up again and either rule them in or out as the source.  Clearly, I'm not sure it's a bearing, that's just what it sounds like to me.   I'm not an expert on fixing or troubleshooting these engines.   Any ideas where I should put my focus on to try and solve this particular issue?    

On the plus side, I have gotten one of my old Athearn blue box engines back running if this Bachmann defeats me.  

Had another question but it has slipped my mind for now.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all.  I have a unique and very basic setup.  The track is up high and runs around part of the living room then through part of the kitchen and back around.   It's been up for over 20 years although it hasn't been functional all that time.   In fact, after not running for 3 or 4 years, we just got it back in service a couple of weeks ago.   The biggest issue has been dust and dirt and since the track is up 8 feet high,  it is an additional chore to keep it clean.    So that's the basic background story.

All or our cars were pretty inexpensive.  Most under $10 when we purchased them back in the early 90's.  Most are Athern I believe.  All have plastic wheels.  I replaced all the couplers with Kadee back when we first set things up.   I have been reading opinions that plastic wheels pick up and transfer more dirt to the track.   If this is true,  I would consider replacing them with metal wheels.   But our track is brass.  We aren't willing to replace the track.   I've also read that brass track is problematic because the Locos wheels are generally nickel and the dissimilar metals leads to faster oxidation.   I'm wondering if swapping the plastic wheels on the cars to metal, which I assume are nickel plated (?) would exacerbate the problem and/or otherwise negate any benefit of switching to metal.   Thoughts?

Thank you.

PS.  I'm also considering buying one of the cleaning cars.  It will have to be one of the lesser expensive models though.  I will ask advice on that later.
   

New here.   I have a GP30 that I can not, for the life of me, figure out how to get the truck side covers off.   It's been sitting for a years and I need to take a look, clean and re-lube the truck gears.   It looks like it's pry and pull but since it's a one piece truck cover,  it isn't going well and I dont want to snap the cover.   I have a feeling I may be missing something.   Any and all input appreciated.