Squealing MTH engine going downlhill :-( - The Whistle Post

seaneparker · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 06:06 PM

Hello -

I hope someone can answer this...
I've added rising/falling tressels to our layout - but now the engine squeals as it goes down hill - and only on the straights. It doesn't squeal when flat, or going downhill on curves - which leads me to believe it's something to do with the center-4 wheels (it's a 2-8) of the 8, which only glide over the track on the curves - any ideas?
I've oiled axles, etc.

Thanks
Sean

Trainman1965 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 09:04 PM

Welcome Sean. I was thinking about this deal on your loco. It is hard to say with out seeing it and hearing what it is doing. but let me ask how step are the hills you are coming down. ???
If the grade is real step it mite be sliding down them and you are hearing the squeal of the wheels. On curves it would be pushing more on the rail guides on the wheel and mite not be sliding then. Just trying to think of something to try to find out.

Get you some oil not much just a little and put it on the track where you are hearing the Squealing and see if that makes it go away if it does then i would say the wheels are sliding on the track. let me know what you find out.

seaneparker · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 07:47 AM

Thanks for replying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainman1965

Welcome Sean. I was thinking about this deal on your loco. It is hard to say with out seeing it and hearing what it is doing. but let me ask how step are the hills you are coming down. ???

I'm using the MTH risers, on 10" straights and 0-31 & O-5x sections. IOW each join is supported, so I think it's a 4-5% grade. (10+' to rise 6" I suppose)

[quote=If the grade is real step it mite be sliding down them and you are hearing the squeal of the wheels. On curves it would be pushing more on the rail guides on the wheel and mite not be sliding then. Just trying to think of something to try to find out. [/QUOTE]

The squealing is related to the revolutions and cycles a bit. All four wheels are rotating together, though their is a bit of play in the screws that hold the arms to the wheels (sorry I don't know the terminology) therefore each wheel can move perhaps <1 deg from the others due to the play - I don't think that's an issue. When it's squealing it doesn't seem to be wheels-turning-at-different-rates.

[quote=Get you some oil not much just a little and put it on the track where you are hearing the Squealing and see if that makes it go away if it does then i would say the wheels are sliding on the track. let me know what you find out.[/QUOTE]

I don't want to oil the track since then the tires would slip, come off etc.
Could it be the axles might have too much play? Perhaps if the axles have too much play and they shift to some angle WRT the other axles that could be a problem - I'll make sure they're well oiled...

Sean