Sparks

[Opie]

I got my first N scale locomotive, a Lifelike 0-6-0T last night and set up a simple oval today. When I turned the power on, it started shooting sparks as it went along the track. I checked all the connections, and they were nice and tight. I am using Atlas C80 track and a MRC Railpower 1370. Can anyone help me.

[Opie]

Should be clean it is brand new of the package.

[3rdrail]

Should be clean it is brand new of the package.

Does it run normally but just spark where the wheels meet the rail? If so, your wheels and/or track are oxidized. It can be brand new out of the box, but if the track and locomotive have sat around for months or years since being made, you will have contact problems that could cause sparking. If the wheels have been chemically blackened that can cause sparking until run a few laps.

[Opie]

I tried it on two straight and two curves and it is sparking and it doesn't want to move. It does have two traction tires on the middle wheels, and the other four wheels are black.

EDIT: It doesn't want to move, but when it does it sparks on the front left wheel. Also, the speed controller has to be turned up to 40MPH before it will move, and even then sometimes it has to be touched to move. Once it starts going, it is fine other than sparking. Also, it seems to have a problem with the rerailer section. I am adding two sections of track at a time to form an oval, so far it isn't sparking as much as it was, but still having problems with the rerailer, and getting started.

[railspike55]

New does not mean clean. 
The process of making the track
may have left residue on the rails frorm the manufacture.

The wheels maybe contaminated as well from oil or lub used at the factory or an over sellus
seller trying to make the loco run better.

As 3rdrail said clean the track and wheels with straight Isoprobyl 70 percent alcohol.

That should help greatly.

Ron N.

[wm3798]

It's also a Life Like 0-6-0... Not exactly cutting edge technology...

Lee

[bsoplinger]

It's also a Life Like 0-6-0... Not exactly cutting edge technology...

I haven't dealt with the LL 0-6-0 in years, but I have opened many a cheap LL loco box lately, although diesel, and they have been literally dripping with oil, it was put on that heavily. So I'll third or forth the suggestion to try some alcohol on the track and wheels although I'll suggest the 90%+ stuff you have to ask for at the pharmacy counter and not just off the shelf at a drug store.