A shunter versus a Mainline Loco

Hi All    Something that I had not considered is “the running in of a new Loco. I have been running in shunters okay, but, having an “End to End “ it can become boring. I had considered Ed’s idea of a folding baseboard Roundy Roundy? but that is as far as I got. Speed or crawl is another thing. Setting the speed on my Powercab at four ie the shunter crawls away, and it would take so long to get to the destination, as it should, where setting the speed at one the Loco would “ tear away “ , which begs the question, running in, what is the best speed. As I understand it shuttles don’t work with DCC.    Best wishes Kevin

The best option for you might be a rolling road Kevin, not cheap I know but if you dont have access to or space for, a roundy roundy then a good option. Also good for testing serviced or newly chipped or repaired locos. I wouldnt be without mine  :thumbs

Yes, I'd have to agree with Matt on this one Kevin.  

A rolling road is your only sensible option - as Matt said, not cheap but once you've got one, it can be used for all sorts other than simply running in locos.

I don't think an end to end plank is a good way to run locos in - too much stop/start and forward/reverse.  They need a steady, continuous run at medium speed - I usually give them 30 minutes forward then 30 minutes in reverse. 

Must admit, in the end I bought a DCC Concepts rolling road, Kevin.

It worked fine for 00 but is also adjustable for my 009 locos.

That said, 009 is small enough for me to get a circle of track on the kitchen table, so I can use either.

The instructions for the Bachmann locos I have just bought say run in at half throttle for half an an hour in each direction.

I don't think Hornby locos ever had any instructions for running in, but it wouldn't hurt to do the same.



Ed

Hi Matt.  Thank you for your reply. I purchased a Rolling Road some time ago, but, I never gave it a thought for Running in.   Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Ed.  Thank you for your reply. That is the very same model of Rolling Road that I chose. Best wishes Kevin

Hi Petermac.  Thank you for your reply. As I wrote to Ed and Matt I had already purchased a Rolling Road.Best wishes Kevin 

Although rolling roads do the job and with minimum space, a much more popular priced option is a 900mm circle of set track set up on any hard surface for running in purposes. I bought a train set starter pack a few years ago for the rolling stock. I use the track with the DC controller for running  in. 

Works well at minimal cost and a local model shop may well have a big box of used track to save a few more pounds.

Bill

Hi Bill.  Thank you for your reply. Following Ed’s idea that was my first consideration . But, for now I will give the Rolling Road a go. Best wishes Kevin 

That is indeed a popular, and much cheaper, alternative to a rolling road Bill. 

My only reservation is that it puts steady and constant strain on the outer bearings/bushes/flanges etc.  I don't know if that does actually create any problems later in the life of the loco but it probably doesn't do a new, tight, loco too much good.

Dunno if an hours running would make that much difference Peter, but you could always turn the loco round on the circle of track before running it in the opposite direction.


Ed

I'm not sure that's a real issue Peter, considering the axle side play and the amount of time the loco will spend negotiating bends during its lifetime following a short running in period, but this could be compensated by turning the loco round, half way though. 

If one hasn't got, or cannot justify the cost of a rolling road, then this is an effective alternative, although I rather like watching a loco exercising on the DCC Concepts road almost as much as on the test track.

Best,

Bill

A good idea with the set track circle if you have the space but I'm thinking in Kevins circumstances with lack of space and current mobility issues, clearing floor space and getting up and down to connect up or remove the circle of track is probably not the best option, whereas the rolling road will happily sit on a side table by his chair while he sits in comfort ? 
Cheers

Matt

Hi Matt.  Thank you for your reply. Exactly my point of view. Best wishes Kevin