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Help with wheel spin?

6608 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  XavierJ123, 
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I just broke out my old Tyco Clementine that I haven't used since I was about 10 (circa 1979). Unfortunately the engine wasn't working. While it's being repaired I picked up a Bachmann Chattanooga set for around the Xmas tree. It only has 5 cars, but the engine wheels spin at spots when all cars are on. The track is on the floor, but I live in an old farmhouse so it may be slightly uneven. Is there a way to gain traction?
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shaygetz
Welcome...the best way to gain traction is to add weight to the engine---specifically over the powered wheels. I use egg sinkers purchased at Wal-Mart in 1/4 oz increments and flattened with a hammer. Using 5 minute epoxy, I add it in balanced amounts to the body shell on both sides and above the drive 'til I get traction. Too much and you can smoke the motor, about an ounce is all you should need.
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shaygetz
The bane of the hobby is the cheap trainset. I believe more folks are turned off to it by those than all other reasons combined. I recently repowered an IHC American Orient Express set for a friend when they found it could not pull the six car train that came with it...sigh...
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shaygetz
Yes, TR, there's something to be said for a scale big enough to double as a food processor.:p
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