Running in new locos

"Alan Dawes" wrote

I just get on use my locos; with just an end-to-end layout continuous running is not possible.

Very few people would take a new car and run it continuously in this fashion, but would just avoid extreme acceleration, speeds and braking during the bedding-in process.

The only concession I make is to ensure any new loco runs smoothly in both directions on analogue control before fitting a DCC decoder.

John.

Do what I do and just nail a circle of 2nd radius setrack to a board and use that.

Fred X

In order to have the loco running through not only right-hand or left-hand curves it should be turned around from time to time, or you could build a figure 8 test track like the one shown in the following page:

There are 21pin to 8pin adaptors from a few makers, possibly even including Hornby/Bachmann themselves.

Or the 21pin pin-out is on various decoder makers websites, try high-end decoders such as Zimo or ESU.

Or, how many wires does the loco have above track pickup and motor ? If none, then hard-wiring or fitting your own 8-pin socket may be simpler than getting an adaptor.

Or you could buy a 21pin decoder !

Can't recommend any decoders as OO RTR models are too far from my usual experience.

- Nigel

I do series of 15 minute runs, first light engine then with a few wagons. Forward clockwise, forward anticlockwise, backward clockwise...... Perhaps overdoing it as far as running in is concerned but it also finds any other problems - incorrect B2B, mucky wheel etc. Tis also a pleasure to have running.

Cheers, Simon