Engines where electric motor appears to turn but the train doesn't move

[GJP]

Being new to model railways I would like some advise from those who may know.

I have a R3277 County of Devon and the 0-6-0 tank engine that comes with the R1173 set. Both engines have dcc decoders and for the most part work fine. Both were Christmas present so effectively brand new. But both have the same two problems:

1. From time to time when I select them to move using the Select controller I can hear what I assume is the electric motor turning (it gets loader the more I turn up the speed control) but the engine doesn't move. Sometime a gentle nudge helps.

2. Both engines stutter over three sets of points I have. The layout has 30 sets of points and they are all fitted with clips to make them live. I have checked the circuitry with a multi meter and all seems OK.

I also have a R3325 J50 which is notably heavier and does not stutter over the points in question and has none of the apparant motor problems.

Any advise would be gratefully received

GJP

[Chrissaf]

1. From time to time when I select them to move using the Select controller I can hear what I assume is the electric motor turning (it gets loader the more I turn up the speed control) but the engine doesn't move. Sometime a gentle nudge helps.

.

Are you sure it is not a case of the wheels turning and slipping on the rails......

[Howbi]

@GJP............maybe worth cleaning the track and loco wheels..........I use lighter fuel on a small felt pad to wipe the rails and then a piece of kitchen roll soaked in lighter fuel, laid on track so that one axle at a time is on the paper while holding the loco and spinning the wheels..........amazing how much black stuff comes off.  HB.

[Fishmanoz]

Sounds like it could be the gear train not properly engaged to me.  Try removing the bodies and check what you can see.  It would have to be either the worm gear on the motor shaft not engaging, meaning the motor isn't seated in its mounts correctly, or the gear on the drive wheel axle slipping on the axle.

 

And by the way, welcome to the forums GJP.

[Rog RJ]

As they are pretty new, return for repair, refund or replacement.  Don't attempt repairs yourself as this would invalidate the guarantee.

[GJP]

1. From time to time when I select them to move using the Select controller I can hear what I assume is the electric motor turning (it gets loader the more I turn up the speed control) but the engine doesn't move. Sometime a gentle nudge helps.

.

Are you sure it is not a case of the wheels turning and slipping on the rails......

Thank for the suggestion. I will double check but I don't think it is that. I wil the forum know how it goes.

GJP

[GJP]

@GJP............maybe worth cleaning the track and loco wheels..........I use lighter fuel on a small felt pad to wipe the rails and then a piece of kitchen roll soaked in lighter fuel, laid on track so that one axle at a time is on the paper while holding the loco and spinning the wheels..........amazing how much black stuff comes off.  HB.

Thank you for the suggestion. I haven't checked the wheels orthe rails. I have assumed as it is all new that would not be a consideration. But I will check and report back.

GJP

[GJP]

Sounds like it could be the gear train not properly engaged to me.  Try removing the bodies and check what you can see.  It would have to be either the worm gear on the motor shaft not engaging, meaning the motor isn't seated in its mounts correctly, or the gear on the drive wheel axle slipping on the axle.

 

And by the way, welcome to the forums GJP.

Thank you. You might be right but to paraphrase Oscar Wilde to have one engine that doesn't work this way is unfortunate, to have two looks like carelessness. I think I might talk to Hornby direct about a warranty claim. I'll let the forum know what the outcome is.

GJP

[poliss]

Did you buy direct from Hornby? If not, then you should contact the retailer who sold them to you and not Hornby.

[da4472vid]

shouldn't happen on a new loco sounds like gear box troubel