Received My GHB L1 From Factory Direct Trains

[Scott Lupia]

Chris, you nailed it.  I have played with many a brass locomotive nowhere near the quality of Precision Scale locomotives.  This is just part for the course.  It always amazes me that the smallest change can affect the performance so much. 

I piled on the weight directly above the drivers and slippage still occurs.  The factory installed wipers on the tender trucks were the first things to go.  All 4 axles on the tender were locked.  I replaced them with .008" phosphor bronze as a temporary fix and the wheels do roll better but more work needs to be done.  Even with the tender causing drag, the engine should pull more.  I added 1 MTL car and the engine was just about stalled. 

Regauging the wheels definitely helped the slippage problem a bit.  I am working on the play in the axle bearings.  A little at a time, it gets closer to where it needs to be. 

Scott Lupia

[Scott Lupia]

Just a thought. Is it possible to disconnect the engine from the tender and run it with out it to see if all the drag is in the tender? I know the tender is part of the pickup but maybe some test leads can be fashioned just for this test.

Jon

John, I did that and the engine does still slip a tiny bit.  I hooked the engine up temporarily to a kato mikado tender truck.  The pickup was immediately improved by the one kato truck versus the entire tender!  Even with tender dragging along, it should pull it.  I'll get it.  It just needs some more time apart on the bench.

Scott Lupia

[Chris333]

Soon as those Bachmann K4 tender trucks become available...

[Scott Lupia]

Soon as those Bachmann K4 tender trucks become available...

Mind reader!

[reinhardtjh]

John, I did that and the engine does still slip a tiny bit.  I hooked the engine up temporarily to a kato mikado tender truck.  The pickup was immediately improved by the one kato truck versus the entire tender!  Even with tender dragging along, it should pull it.  I'll get it.  It just needs some more time apart on the bench.

Scott Lupia

Maybe it's time for the double-sided tape on the drivers trick?

Soon as those Bachmann K4 tender trucks become available...

Now the most anticipated item from Bachmann since the K4s itself!   

[Scott Lupia]

Maybe it's time for the double-sided tape on the drivers trick?

John, interesting idea. I was considering temporarily trying bullfrog snot but have never tried it. Not sure how effective it is or if you can get a smooth surface out of it.

One thing I was worried about was removing the paint and lettering. I am reprinting mine and figured I was disassembling it so I could use my media blaster. No need, the paint is coming off on its own with handling. Granted my engine is being handled way more than the average person!  The lettering comes off easily enough with my fiberglass paint remover. The doghouse is being removed next!

Scott Lupia

[muktown128]

I received my 2 L1's today.  They seem to run OK on an Atlas code 55 oval.  There might be some slipping, which I'll need to check out by seeing how many cars they'll pull.  Detail wise they look very good.  The deck plate behind the cab on one loco is bent upwards and needs to be adjusted.  Overall, I'm pleased with what I have seen so far.  I'll check them out more thoroughly this weekend.  Watching the Packers game now. GO PACK GO!!!  Then heading out of town early tomorrow on a business trip. 

Scott

[muktown128]

FDT has GHB L1's listed on ebay. 
6 different loco numbers are listed.
4 traditional / 2 modern.
These locos are also still listed on their website.
The opening bid is the same price as what is listed on their website.

Scott

[towl1996]

Well, my L1 arrived, it's a nice looking engine, but it too has all the aforementioned issues, so no surprises there. Has anyone found a solution to these problems, specifically the slippage?

[glakedylan]

I guess I lucked out to a certain extent

mine runs fine (although backwards in relation to other locomotives)
but, I will confess, I have only run it on a double oval of Kato track
no slipping, no other problems

I suppose when there are turnouts involved there will be problems
if I do not re-gauge the wheels, and probably correct the issues with
parts lower than rail head

nonetheless, I have been having fun running it along with 2 K4s

I hope everyone else will be able to get the kinks out and have a fine
running L1...I am not sure what to do with my two GHQ kits now.
might as well build them when time and energy permit even it I end
up selling them, as a built locomotive will probably be valued more
than a collection of parts.

sincerely--

[peteski]

Has anybody else notice that there appears to be a cam (for triggering chuffs in a decoder) on the rear driver's (4th) axle?  Has anybody taken the loco apart to see if there are contacts over the cam?

[reinhardtjh]

Has anybody else notice that there appears to be a cam (for triggering chuffs in a decoder) on the rear driver's (4th) axle?  Has anybody taken the loco apart to see if there are contacts over the cam?

I noticed.  There are no contacts. It just rotates in space.  You could arrange something though with a little work.

[chicken45]

I guess I lucked out to a certain extent

mine runs fine (although backwards in relation to other locomotives)
but, I will confess, I have only run it on a double oval of Kato track
no slipping, no other problems

I suppose when there are turnouts involved there will be problems
if I do not re-gauge the wheels, and probably correct the issues with
parts lower than rail head

nonetheless, I have been having fun running it along with 2 K4s

I hope everyone else will be able to get the kinks out and have a fine
running L1...I am not sure what to do with my two GHQ kits now.
might as well build them when time and energy permit even it I end
up selling them, as a built locomotive will probably be valued more
than a collection of parts.

sincerely--

If you sell one, keep, me in mind, please! I've been wanting to build an I1sa!

[muktown128]

If you sell one, keep, me in mind, please! I've been wanting to build an I1sa!

I'd be interested in the other one if you want to sell that one also.

Scott

[peteski]

Hmmmm... the wheel gauge "problem" doesn't seem to be any worse (narrow) than what I see in the brand new Arnold SW1.    It will run ok on Peco or Atlas C70 layouts but will not traverse Atlas C55 turnouts and probably any of the hand-laid turnouts.  the wheels will climb up on either the guard rail or one of the frog's wing rails.