LGB starter set Stainz issue

Mobi

Mobi

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I bought a new LGB 78400 starter set.

I already had LGB track laid in my garden for last 6 months but so far I was running Playmobil battery loco only.

On first attempt, the Stainz loco ran fine! It could pull 3 Playmobil wagons without issue. However, when I attached 2 more LGB wagons (came with starter set), on some places of the track the loco had wheel slip! Its wheels were spinning but train was not moving. I was surprised that Stainz could not pull 5 wagons! :o

After I removed 2 wagons, it again ran fine.

I tried in early morning when track was wet due to dew. Did that contribute to the problem? Track was level without grade.

In contrast, when my Playmobil battery loco could not haul, it just stalled without wheel slip.
 
Dew will make it more slippery, it does on the full size ones too, and as Paul says weight is probably a factor too. Try adding a bit of weight in a bag draped over the boiler, just don't go mad you still want it to spin rather than stall and risk burning out the motor.
 
Wow, almost a full pound lighter. No wonder it's slipping. I used to hear, from the foreman, "Get the lead out"! It's too bad we have to be so safe. ???
 
Ah, it is normal then? ???

Should I add some weight in the cab then or it has to be in boiler?
 
Mobi said:
Ah, it is normal then? ???

Should I add some weight in the cab then or it has to be in boiler?
Click to expand...
The nearer the centre-line between the axles, the better.. So the boiler would be better.
 
One more issue. The loco stops on switches. Only way it can pass them over is to use full throttle (where it rushes like mad).

Is it common problem due to short wheelbase?

Now I took out switches altogether to make simple loop. >:(
 
Mobi said:
One more issue. The loco stops on switches. Only way it can pass them over is to use full throttle (where it rushes like mad).

Is it common problem due to short wheelbase?

Now I took out switches altogether to make simple loop. >:(
Click to expand...
It can be an issue, as the Stainz usually has a traction tyre on one wheel, but it might be worth checking that the skates and the other wheels are picking up power properly. Also check the skates are 'sprung' as this can also affect power pick up. I know of one Stainz owner who removes the traction tyre.

Some folks fit a power buffer to locos with short wheelbases, which helps with on points/switches which have an insulated plastic frog. I've done this to a KoF loco myself and it works well....
 
I think easiest option to add more load to the loco will be attaching 2 padlocks on each side of the boiler ;D

Won't be a nice thing to look at but should turn in into a better hauler. ;)
 
Hi
yes as some one has just said since 2009 the stainz are a lot lighter , what I do is take out the 2 side weights from the cab and using old lead melted down into the shape of the existing weights refit and that boasts the weight of the loco ,and then I can pull up to 5 starter coaches .
Graham Shrewsbury
 
I checked that my Stainz weighs 1375 gram. It can pull 5 LGB/Playmobil wagons/coaches but sometimes momentarily wheels slip.

With 4 wagons, it works fine. I ran it over 4 hours yesterday ;D

TBH, I don't really mind pulling just 4 wagons. In my small layout it looks good.

I am more upset that its stalling over switches (now I have taken them out it is not an issue but not an ideal situation either).
 
Hi Mobi

get one of these and "plumb" it into your loco
8151001_200x100.gif


Its simply a small "battery (capacitor) which is charged from the track - When there is no power going to your loco (like on a switch) - the power buffer (battery) kicks in and provides the power to get across the dead spot.

Full details here - http://www.massoth.com/en/produkte/8151001.en.php
 
One other thing you could check is that both skate pick-ups move up and down nice and freely. If one (or both) are a bit stiff this can have the effect of jacking up the driving wheels slightly which will both lessen the traction and cause the problem over the pointwork. It will also cause more drag, which won't help.

What make of points are you using? On our club layout we have Aristo points and the plastic frogs not only tend to be longer, but also not deep enough for LGB wheel flanges, causing them to lift and lose electrical contact causing stalling on 4 wheeled locos.
 
Any loco will get wheel spin in the dew, it's often what brings my running sessions to an end on a summers night. :(
 
Skates are fine. It is a brand new loco. All my tracks are LGB only. Tracks are just 6 months old (I bought them new). Although switches were bought used from Ebay. So far I was using Playmobil battery loco so never had problem with switches ;)

I cleaned the track and when I ran train in dry, even though it can pull 5 wagons it slipped few times. I thought better not to stress the loco and it runs fine with 4 wagons.

Some older posts in this forum recommended getting rid of traction tyres. Is that a good solution? Will that reduce pulling power of loco noticeably?
 
yb281 said:
One other thing you could check is that both skate pick-ups move up and down nice and freely. If one (or both) are a bit stiff this can have the effect of jacking up the driving wheels slightly which will both lessen the traction and cause the problem over the pointwork. It will also cause more drag, which won't help.
Click to expand...

Wot Mel said. I was about to type this when I read Mels answer.
 
If you've checked the skates, that's fine. But don't take it as read that just because the loco is brand new they don't require some attention.

As far as the traction tyre is concerned, Paul removes his but adds weight and his Stainz fly up his gradients like good uns.
 
I have expanded my tracks a little bit.

As far I can see it is level. Entire track is on wooden deck.

Bizarrely, at one specific location (curve track) the loco is hesitating for couple of seconds. Its wheel is spinning but not moving. Then after a moment it manages to overcome the resistance and moves on again.

The section is not a point, just continuous track. Even more strange is that it happens when loco is running in reverse only! (It is still pulling, not pushing) By reverse I mean loco's back side facing front. It happens at all speed.

If the loco is pulling as forward facing, it still hesitates at same section but only momentarily. It is only hesitating for a second and no wheel spin.

What is the reason? I have swapped tracks with other tracks and still same issue at same location. Not that it bothers me too much but still inquisitive to know the reason.

BTW, I have removed traction tyre from the Stainz. The problem remained same before and after removal of the tyre. But overall I didn't see any loss of traction after removal of the tyre. It is now not hesitating on the switches!
 
Is the track screwed down at all?
Does a screw-head stick up at this point?
Is there a track magnet at this point?
If the track is screwed down: Try removing the screws for six feet, or so, either side of where it stalls.. Does the track move, or lift, without the screws? - This may indicate a twist is put into the track, or other problem, when it is fastened down. Sort if this is a problem.
Look very closely at the track where this occurs.. Could there be kink, or sharper bend at this point?
Do the sleepers, or track, look damaged?
Do you have a 'spare' curved piece of track you could try substituting for the one where the problem occurs?
How long is your train? - How much stock are you trying to pull?

It could also be the coupling height on your rolling stock is wrong.. This could be 'pulling down' on the Stainz lifting the back-end of the engine a little (when the engine is bunker-first).
 
Track Magnet:
A clip-in plastic block containing a magnet.. Used to operate a reed switch mounted under a loco to operate the whistle, or bell, depending which way round it is clipped into the track. - The magnet is mounted to one side, and the loco will have reed switches on either side, one for the whistle and the other for the bell.
 
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