Author Topic: Model Power Steam Maintenance  (Read 675 times)

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EdKap2

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Model Power Steam Maintenance
« on: November 27, 2023, 09:41:36 AM »
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After many hours of operating the engines, I'm thinking its getting to be time to lube the gears inside and clean the soot out of the motor.  Is anyone familiar with how to remove the boiler from the frame without taking the frame apart?

JMaurer1

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2023, 12:39:12 PM »
+1
Spookshow has this info:

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/mp260.html

Starts off sounding (and looking) not that difficult, but the comment "...a total Chinese puzzle box of interconnected parts" sounds like it is not something the weak should take on.
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Philip H

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2023, 01:00:24 PM »
+1
Paging @wm3798 please report to the OR STAT!
Philip H.
Chief Everything Officer
Baton Rouge Southern RR - Mount Rainier Division.


EdKap2

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2023, 05:21:47 PM »
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Thanks,  Spookshow article was helpful.

mmagliaro

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2023, 07:22:00 PM »
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Exactly WHICH Model Power steam engines are these?   The first gen ones?   Those had Mashima closed cans in the 4-4-0 and the 2-6-0, and I would not plan on taking those cans apart to clean out any carbon as that is likely not necessary.  The internal gears are all Delrin and don't need oil, which will only help them accumulate dirt.  If these are the engines you are dealing with, my advice would be to NOT remove the boiler from the frame, as it is very unlikely that anything you lubricate or clean in there will help, and there's a high probability of breaking off the connecting wires that go down through the frame to the contact strip on the bottom of the engine.


EdKap2

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2023, 09:03:01 PM »
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It's one of the MRC (2nd gen) moguls with a Digitrax replacement decoder but no sound.  Its running slowly and gets warm after short time running. 
I compared it to a Model Power mogul on DC, and the MP easily outran the MRC at half throttle.

wm3798

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2023, 12:34:14 AM »
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I've got a couple of Mikes and a 4-4-0.  Haven't had any issues with them that would require a tear down yet.  They're actually pretty good runners, all of them. 
Could it be something with the decoder install and/or programming?  (I run straight DC, so I'm of no use to you there...)

Lee
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Lee Weldon www.wmrywesternlines.net

mmagliaro

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Re: Model Power Steam Maintenance
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2023, 01:12:04 PM »
+5
Now for my mantra.... Can you bypass the decoder in the tender, and just run the motor on DC so you can see what the current draw is?  If the speed range and current are normal, then the problem is not the motor, and getting the engine apart to where you can remove the motor would not be useful.