LGB RACK LOCOs Non -Rack Adhesion Test

[stevelewis]

On one of my previous threads there was some discussion as to poor haulage capacity of the 0-4-0 electric outline rack loco.

The other day I noticed that on of mine was not too happy hauling coaches on a part of the layout under construction which is not intended to be Rack equipped, but does have a slight gradient.
So today i have conducted a test on the loco..........

For those unfamiliar with this loco, it has quite a long wheel base approx 5` (12cm) and NO traction tyre. the loco has 4 skates fitted, (the reason this was noted in press releases when the loco was first introduced around 20 years ago as being to enable faultless/continuous current collection on the sections of track transitioning from level to rack gradient, i.e. there may be a bit of a horizontal kink in the track which interrupted current collection, LGB advised the use of several small track sections to ease the change in the gradient!)

So what I did today was to remove the 4 skates from the loco and then run it with the same train as previously.
I found that it climbed the gradient without any hesitation, thus proving that the skates when fitted were causing lack of wheel adhesion BUT it was noticed that the loco was a bit hesitant on some parts of my track which were not quite as clean as they might have been.

I then tried a compromise approach by refitting just one skate per side I found the loco performed haulage -wise almost exactly the same as when there were NO skates fitted, but with no hesitation on dirty track.

So I think my intention will be to leave the loco with just the 2 skates fitted making sure of course not to lose the other 2!

Another thing noticed that when I removed the keeper plate there was a distinct lack of grease on the gear wheel, the loco is new Marklin production, so this may be a point to be aware of for new purchases.

 

[dunnyrail]

Steve,
Have to say that my Rack Lecy like yours (but quite a bit older) was always a superb runner on none Rack. It used to perform on Andy Rush's line on the LLB a line that was on the flat and dissapeared into a Tunnel on its way over the Mountains (via unseen Rack equiped parts). Used to haul/propell 2 Coaches and a driving van. Plus when Traffic demanded up to 2 Bachmann Bogie Opens from the Sand Quarry. All with Metal wheels and no noticeable slipping.

Have to say that I do prefer Locomotives without Traction Tyres. Helps with Pickup.
JonD

 

[stevelewis]

The point I am making is not the haulage capacity of this loco type, but the fact that the 4 Skates actually reduce wheel and thus traction adhesion

The loco hauls reasonably well on level or nearly level track, but the section of track where i noticed the lack of adhesion occur was newly laid track which was not even ballasted, basically it was just laid on the propsed route!

Should have added also my rack loco wighs almost 1KG Less than earlier Lehmann produced ones, due to the use of Lead ballast weights now being banned and a lighter metal has been used, it has however had extra weight added bringing it weight up to that of Lehmann produced locos.