Hello everyone, I am a train set rookie... I have a Coca Cola Christmas train in HO scale. It's great, but there is a problem. I have one engine and six cars and a caboose. It has worked wonderfully for the past few years but with the last car I received it stalls. It stalls with only one car now. I am wondering if there is a higher powered control unit that I can use.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.
A Coca-Cola Christmas Train sounds cool! Sounds like something I would love to own!
If the locomotive has not been ran for a few year's, then it would benefit from a service. Maybe a drop of oil on all the cogs and wheels and then a good run for about 30 minutes, in both directions should work and sort it out. If not, then it needs to go to a specialist!
Thanks. I took the engine to the hobby store when I replaced a section of track a couple of weeks ago. The clerk gave the engine a smell, but didn't say anything to me.
Sounds like your loco is the problem Chum, not your power source.
Make, model and time period the loco was built?
^^ Maybe that was to see if was leaking oil or not. That is my best guess as to why he smelt it! I think it needs a trip to a model railway specialist. That will only way to get it running again, like when you first got it out of the box.
Thanks everyone, this is the set I have..
http://www.bradfordexchange.com/products/917292_santa-train.html
If you notice that Issue 2 includes an engine car..but it just coasts along with the loco..it doesn't have any drive power or anything.
but the clerk at the hobby store I mentioned before does have experience with trains..I will take my loco and engine to him if I need to.
^ I think you may have posted the wrong link their, mate! Mickey Mouse handbags, watches and baby children dolls does not give us a Scooby-Doo (A clue) of which Coca-Cola Train Set you own!
Sorry about that. I pasted the link from the Bradford Exchange Coca Cola train set, but it seems to have sent people to the home page.
If you've had the set for several years, you may just need to clean the track and loco wheels. One other possibility is the lighted passenger car may have a wiring problem that's dragging the power level down.
Len
It sounds like you have a bit of trouble with friction in the wheel bearings of the cars.
A tiny little bit of oil might do the trick.
Ton
Quote from: WilsonProductions2 on December 30, 2016, 07:54:09 PM
^ I think you may have posted the wrong link their, mate! Mickey Mouse handbags, watches and baby children dolls does not give us a Scooby-Doo (A clue) of which Coca-Cola Train Set you own!
Not sure what you are going on about, mate; I click on the link he provided and up pops the Coca-Cola Train... ::)
I would advise against putting any lube on the wheel bearings of the cars. You are more likely to attract dust and dirt/crud there. Focus on the loco's motor and the track first. It makes no sense that suddenly the wheels and trucks on the "wagons" are presenting problems after several years of running fine. But, if they (the trucks) happen to be plastic and the wheels don't turn freely any more; 1) check for dust and crud in/on them (do you run this set on the floor?); 2) invest in a truck tuning tool to ream the trucks; 3) think about metal wheel-sets to replace plastic ones, as they are most often freerer rolling.
If I read you right, it sounds like your troubles began when you added an additional car (wagon) to the train, is that correct?
^ Not for me, jbrock27. I clicked on it and all it comes up with are Mickey Mouse branded handbags, baby toy dolls and watches that they are selling. Not a single image of a Bachmann Coca-Cola Train Set came up for me.
This is what comes up for me: http://www.bradford.co.uk/, which is The Bradford Exchange homepage.
You must just be special then.
^ No, I'm not. Nothing to do with me, if the image dosen't appear, jbrock27... ::). It could just be that I'm viewing it on my tablet or something. I don't know.
Doesn't work for me either......the link takes me to Bradford's Canadian site. BE has there site set up so it tracks your physical location, then directs you to the appropriate site.
Wow....is there ever a pile of junk for sale there.....lol. I can see all of it being future garage sale inventory ;D
Sid
^ Thank you Sid, for backing me up there ! I agree, that website does sell a load of junk! Unless it's something to do with model railways, then I'm not interested in it, one little bit!
Quote from: WilsonProductions2 on December 31, 2016, 10:47:59 AM
the image dosen't appear, jbrock27... ::). It could just be that I'm viewing it on my tablet or something. I don't know.
Maybe you are clicking on something you have bookmarked instead, by accident?
Quote from: WilsonProductions2 on December 31, 2016, 10:35:01 AM
...Mickey Mouse branded handbags, baby toy dolls...
Quote from: WoundedBear on December 31, 2016, 11:27:56 AM
Doesn't work for me either......the link takes me to Bradford's Canadian site.;D
Sid
Have no idea what the explanation for you is, LOL!! :D
^ No, I'm am not jbrock27. I am clicking on the link that manofthesea posted. That's what it comes up with. I never bookmark any websites and if I did, I wouldn't bookmark a website like that. I've never been on that website before in my life anyway! I wouldn't want too!
Hey, we believe you...
^ Thank you :) ;) :D.
Quite Welcome :)
How about this link? It should be the Bradford Exchange's train page.
http://www.bradfordexchange.com/mcategory/villages-and-trains_9876/trains--accessories.html (http://www.bradfordexchange.com/mcategory/villages-and-trains_9876/trains--accessories.html)
Ok, now I click on that, and DON'T get the Cocoa Cola train popping up. LOL
^^ That still lands me on the homepage, Flare, of The Bradford Exchange website!
^ I'm glad you know how I feel, jrbrock27, that I can't see the image of this Coca-Cola Train Set!
Please, just somebody post the image on a comment! This links to this website for this image, just don't work at all!
hopefully you can see this one.....
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1NHXL_enUS704US704&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=coca+cola+christmas+train+set&tbm=shop&spd=2307336340231415344
should be the first one
Quote from: WilsonProductions2 on December 31, 2016, 02:45:51 PM
Please, just somebody post the image on a comment! This links to this website for this image, just don't work at all!
Let's try this one: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/14/09/b5/1409b54b1853150a9fe85a3eee1a5274.jpg (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/14/09/b5/1409b54b1853150a9fe85a3eee1a5274.jpg)
There was also an On30 one at one time, but I don't think it's still available new: http://www.terapeak.com/worth/hawthorne-village-coca-cola-christmas-express-train-by-bachmann-complete/262113962349/ (http://www.terapeak.com/worth/hawthorne-village-coca-cola-christmas-express-train-by-bachmann-complete/262113962349/)
^^ That works ;D! Is it the first image I should look at, that being an image from an eBay listing, belonging to somebody?
^ Looks like Bachmann have done a few Coca-Cola Train Sets, over the year's. I prefer the image on the first link you posted, Flare.
EXTRA:
Does anybody know if Bachmann have ever released a Pepsi, Tango, 7up or any other fizzy drinks branded train set/'s?
For whatever reason, the original link worked fine for me. Took me straight to the Coca-Cola train. I'm using Firefox 50.1.0 for what it's worth.
Len
^ Not for me it didn't, Len! I have clicked on the same link on laptop (Which I posted this comment on) and my tablet un-countable times now and it has never come up with the Coca-Cola Train Set image once! I rest my case! :D
Anyway, with all of this talk about Coca-Cola Train Set's, I could just do with a nice cold glass or bottle, of Coca-Cola! :P
Original link works fine for me too. That's using an iPad and Safari to view it.
Oy vey!
@manofthesea
Let's go back to the beginning of the post.
I have to agree that the problem is probally from not properly cleaning of the wheels (including lokie) and the track.
ALL contact points must be cleaned. (This includes track, wheels, contact strips, wipers, and commutator).
Do not lubricate anything without a thorough cleaning first.
Lots of posts here on how to do exactly that.
From the power pack to the motor.
Basically the entire "flow path" of electricity.
Only then can you lightly lubricate.
Do you have access to, and know how to utilize a multi-meter?
Yes, No?
Using only your multi-meter, you can determine if it's a contact (electrical) problem or a mechanical (binding. i.e. dried, caked, lube) problem.
Await your reply.
Now the hard part that has me shaking my head;
@WilsonProductions2,
I don't really know where to start,
No cleaning, no lubing, ever.
Make it a practice to remove all old lubricant before applying any new.
The OP states the "clerk" gave the lokie a smell, but didn't offer comment after doing so.
You replied ...
QuoteMaybe that was to see if was leaking oil or not. That is my best guess as to why he smelt it!Quote
Umm...
If any lokie is leaking oil you have BIG, BIG, problems.
This is not a problem with the lokie, but rather a problem with the owner (or whoever lubricated it).
I would surmise the "clerk" smelled the lokie to try to determine if the motor windings were burnt (shorted) (wire insulation), or if the commutator was loaded with oil (the smell of burning oil).
Two very different odors.
This is common practice and gives you a starting point on where to look when troubleshooting.
If he only smelled a slight ozone odor, or nothing at all, he would know that is normal and there are no problems with the motor, therefore offering no comment.
QuoteWow....is there ever a pile of junk for sale there.....lol. I can see all of it being future garage sale inventory
P.T. Barnum
^^ The tablet I was using to view the original link was my Apple iPad too and it didn't work. Same happened when I turned my HP Pavilion laptop on, that is running Windows 10, using Microsoft Edge to view it.
Quote from: James in FL on December 31, 2016, 05:52:09 PM
Await your reply.
I hope you are not holding your breadth
James :D
Great post. Thank you. I shoot high grade lubricant occasionally, but have never cleaned the track or wheels. The wheels are metal btw. I just received another car in the mail. It seems much lighter than all of the others and with just the loco and the new car, the train runs great.
I do have another question however. My set consists of 1 loco, 8 cars and an engine. The engine is as heavy as the loco but does not provide drive power. It just coasts along with the cars. Is that normal?
Thanks to everyone.
BTW, I do have a multimeter and basic electrical understanding. Are there certain readings that I should look for concerning the track and controller?
Thanks.
I am really busy with work and family and rarely check my email and this forum. I appreciate the help and really love my train set.
I have a small xmas tree set up on a table with the train running around it. It's great.
Quotebut have never cleaned the track or wheels
That's the best place to start.
QuoteI shoot high grade lubricant occasionally
As previously stated, it's good practice to clean and remove all old lubricant before applying any new.
Depending on the viscosity of, and placement of where you are "shooting high grade lubricant" you may not be doing yourself any favors.
Many good threads both here, and on other forums, about cleaning and lubricating.
Also check out YouTube, lots of good videos on how to do it.
QuoteAre there certain readings that I should look for concerning the track and controller?
Not really unless you notice something that's just not quite right, but many of us continually monitor volts and amps on our layouts.
Pretty much a necessity on our test tracks for troubleshooting.
Current spikes and/or drops are an indicator of something amiss.
Slipping, or what appears to be slipping, has several causes.
Clean your wheels and track first and report back, and we will go from there.
Also, I do not see anything in the link provided that would indicate that the "Issue two" is anything other than an unpowered F7?B unit.
Quote from: James in FL on January 05, 2017, 01:05:41 PM
Quotebut have never cleaned the track or wheels
That's the best place to start.
QuoteI shoot high grade lubricant occasionally
As previously stated, it's good practice to clean and remove all old lubricant before applying any new.
Depending on the viscosity of, and placement of where you are "shooting high grade lubricant" you may not be doing yourself any favors.
Many good threads both here, and on other forums, about cleaning and lubricating.
Also check out YouTube, lots of good videos on how to do it.
QuoteAre there certain readings that I should look for concerning the track and controller?
Not really unless you notice something that's just not quite right, but many of us continually monitor volts and amps on our layouts.
Pretty much a necessity on our test tracks for troubleshooting.
Current spikes and/or drops are an indicator of something amiss.
Slipping, or what appears to be slipping, has several causes.
Clean your wheels and track first and report back, and we will go from there.
Also, I do not see anything in the link provided that would indicate that the "Issue two" is anything other than an unpowered F7?B unit.
Thanks for the response. I will clean the track and all contact points using electrical contact cleaner.
Sorry, but is the engine supposed to have locomotive drive power?
..or would it be better if I cleaned the train set using isopropyl alcohol?
As long as the contact cleaner says "safe for plastics" it will work fine for cleaning out old oil and grease. What you don't want to use is 'Tuner Cleaner' that contains a lubricant. For general wheel cleaning, alchohol works fine.
Len
One of the best, easiest, ways to clean the wheels on a loco is to spray some WD-40 or PB Blaster (my preference) on a piece of paper towel. Then put the paper towel on the track. Place the loco's wheels on the rails so you can power it, but have the remaining loco wheels on the paper towel that is wet with the WD-40 or PB Blaster. Hold the loco from moving and turn the power up so wheels are touching the paper towel and being cleaned. Then change things up so you can also clean the wheels that were not contacting the paper towel the first time around.
The same came be done with rolling stock, but w/o the power; just roll the car back and forth over the saturated towel.
You should see the results in black streaks on the paper towel.
I'm amazed this Coca-Cola Train thread is still this popular! :o
Perhaps, someday, in one of your posts, you will actually add something to it.
^ I do add things in my posts, according to subject in that particular thread. I just wanted to mention that I am amazed that's still in discussion. Please don't be sarcastic about my posts, jbrock27.
Thanks to everyone. I am going to clean my track today using isopropyl alcohol. I am also going to clean my loco wheels using the paper towel/wd 40 method.
The high grade lubricant that I previously mentioned is called Zepreserve, which we've found out at my work place is a much better lubricant than wd 40.
However, my question concerning the train engine remains unanswered. Is the train engine supposed to provide drive power, or just coast along like an overweight car?
Again, thanks.
BTW, I worked a 16 hour day yesterday (brain dead) and have been really busy at work so unable to correspond frequently enough with you guys. I repair traffic signals..all of my coworkers are really "physical" (yet smart), but truly admire my interest in my train set.
^ Yes, the locomotive provides the power. The locomotive will always have the motor inside of it, which provides the power for it to run and pull it's wagons.
I don't like your choice of lubricant simply because I don't see anything anywhere that states that this product is safe for plastics.
I don't use spray types, but rather liquid types that can be controlled drop by drop.
My choice for a cleaner:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-QD-11-oz-Contact-Cleaner-02130-6/202262505
My choice for lubrication either Hob e lube or Labelle lubricants.
http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/StandardHob-E-Lube
Here's a video from LaBelle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQkU18WmuWw
QuoteHowever, my question concerning the train engine remains unanswered. Is the train engine supposed to provide drive power, or just coast along like an overweight car?
I did answer your question, maybe you missed it.
my reply;
QuoteAlso, I do not see anything in the link provided that would indicate that the "Issue two" is anything other than an unpowered F7?B unit.
It's just along for the ride.
From what I've read you are talking about the "B" unit correct? I am not sure if the Bradford Exchange uses powered B units or not but it can be easily checked by removing the shell, remove the fuel tank and there are 4 screws holding the shell on. Lift the shell off and you will have your answer. The chassis is thee same as the "A" unit so if it is a dummy this would explain the weight of the unit. I have a "B" unit I removed the motor from one to run a ABBA with the first A & B unit only one's powered.
And alternative to the "hobby" oils mentioned earlier is modern sewing machine oil. The modern stuff is safe for plastics, it often comes in a plastic bottle, and light enough for HO trains. If you have a very old can of sewing machine oil laying around, it may not be plastic safe.
Len
http://images.zep.com/zepcorporate/els/0095%20Zepreserve_GHS_1040434-3_LBL_0215J.pdf (http://images.zep.com/zepcorporate/els/0095%20Zepreserve_GHS_1040434-3_LBL_0215J.pdf)
There's his product label. Says right on it that it may damage certain plastic surfaces.
I wonder how many people actually read the fine print on things? ???
Sid
Quote from: manofthesea on January 07, 2017, 06:46:35 PM
Thanks to everyone....lubricant than wd 40.
You're welcome. :) Just for your info, WD-40 is less of a lubricant than it is a chemical to remove water. The WD stands for "Water Dispersal". An aerosol that lubes is something like, Silicone spray.
To clean track, I like to also use Wahl Clipper oil, applied with a Costmetic/Makeup Q-Tip (leaves no fibers like a common Q-Tip). Excess can always be wiped up with cotton cloth, one that does not leave threads or fibers.
Quote from: WoundedBear on January 07, 2017, 07:50:29 PM
I wonder how many people actually read the fine print on things? ???
Sid
You're spot on as usual; I wonder how many people
read period. LOL :D
Quote from: Plow Bender on January 07, 2017, 08:41:07 PM
Mr. jbrock27 wasn't being sarcastic, he was making a valid statement. A few to be exact.
-Rusty
Correctamundo. Thank you. ;)