1994 Navy Switcher set

I have the same set. When I replaced my motor I added a second in the other truck. I can pull a 20 car consist with no issues along with the calf unit. I have added on to the Navy set over the years and now have a collection of submarine cars and other various Navy themed rolling stock along with upgrading to metal trucks on the rolling stock. I did update mine with a Cruise Lite and Rail Sounds prior to ERR switching to 3rd Rail. The dual motor update was the best thing I did to it other than making it TMCC controlled. It made a huge difference in pulling. 

On the calf unit, do the axles have some side to side movement? They should have about the same resistance as the dummy truck on the engine. I didn’t have an issue with my calf, or I didn’t notice it. I do add a drop of oil to the axles from time to time.

The only way to free up the axles without pulling the trucks apart is to run it.

I have that set & the calf.  Never had a problem with the calf, either.  I don't recall it being heavy, but perhaps open it up & remove any weights that may have been in there from the factory (it may shimmy if you do that, though).   Those Navy calves were a real hard find within the several years after their release & went for highly exorbanent prices, nearing what you could buy the set for!  I guess their prices have cooled in recent years- along with prices on most other LTI stuff.

Thanks SPFORD27! Good advice. Read some other threads yesterday that mention adding a second motor to NW-2s. I also would like to haul all my military cars in one big consist. No side to side play at all on the offending truck. Guess I'll break out the dual motor Williams BL-2 and drag that calf around for a while.  Thanks again, Doug C.

Thanks RADIORON, Can't remember what I paid for it around 3 years ago, or who I ordered it from, but being a low budget railroader I doubt I paid more than $100. for it. Original set a steal from Island Trains in '94 at $200. including shipping. Always wished it was blue like the 60's set I couldn't afford when I started running my '62 Rock Island freight set from childhood (set 1643 from Sears) again in the 90's. Still runs like a champ with only service a new directional switch. Loved testing the magnatraction at full throttle around corners! Doug C.

Here is the movement in my calf axles.

Thanks again SPFORD27. My axles same on non-pickup, much tighter on axle with pickup with almost zero play. Will test your break-in advice tonight after work. Doug C.

SPFord27 posted:

Here is the movement in my calf axles.

How is that one roller all gunked up and the other almost as clean as a whistle.

I don’t know, but it needs to be cleaned. 

Doug C. posted:

Thanks again SPFORD27. My axles same on non-pickup, much tighter on axle with pickup with almost zero play. Will test your break-in advice tonight after work. Doug C.

I did notice that one axle had more drag from the contact and it looks like it’s not as well lubed as the other. Both have more resistance than the truck with no contact. If you haven’t regreased the contact between the pickup and the axle it might need some fresh grease or oil.