Atlas GP60s throwing sparks

Sounds like dirty track, wheels, or rollers.

Your video is pretty much useless. That said, it sure sounds/appears that the track is dirty.

@Hot Water posted:

Your video is pretty much useless. That said, it sure sounds/appears that the track is dirty.

You can see some of the sparks in the video, couldn’t get a great one. I just cleaned the track before putting the locomotive on

Are the pickup rollers oiled?

@SirCaptain posted:

Are the pickup rollers oiled?

I haven’t oiled them, so I’m not sure. Do they need to be?

Fresh Atlas track with black center rail- yeah, I would clean that center rail, even consider using some scotch brite to polish the fresh thick black coating to at least reduce it.

My experience is, that fresh out of the box or relatively so- the black oxide coating and certain brands of rollers, along with normal shipping and other manufacturing stuff- I've seen PLENTY of Atlas track spark like that with different roller types. Why some spark more than others is probably more science than I'm willing to put into it. The point being, you can fight it all kinds of ways, you can clean the wheels, clean the rollers, use light (sometimes called conductive) lube on the roller shaft pin, but for sure I have seen some roller types on fresh very black Atlas center rail spark like crazy.

Yes, yes they do....

Make sure the rollers and wheels are also clean.

In this shot, you can see the level I polished my Atlas center rail.

Sam try making the spark .

Stop the engine.  Check the track for any small burn mark where the spark occured.  If there is a burn, work that area smooth and clean and see if the engine sparks there again. ( it looks like your track is the painted center rail variety. )

Turn the engine over and check for evidence of a burn.

As SirCaptain mentioned ,oiling the rollers and make sure they are spotless.    Sometimes the axle that the roller rides on  and the inside of the roller becomes dirty and needs to be flushed clean.

Good luck and keep us updated.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Fresh Atlas track with black center rail- yeah, I would clean that center rail, even consider using some scotch brite to polish the fresh thick black coating to at least reduce it.

how important is the black coating? Not on this track, but on some others, the center rail has some black coating removed or faded. Is there a way I can reapply it if I need to? Also, would it hurt to get scotch brite on the outside rail? If not, I can use the CMX clean machine I’ve got to clean all of the new track I’m laying for my Railroad

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Sam try making the spark .

Stop the engine.  Check the track for any small burn mark where the spark occured.  If there is a burn, work that area smooth and clean and see if the engine sparks there again. ( it looks like your track is the painted center rail variety. )

Turn the engine over and check for evidence of a burn.

---

As SirCaptain mentioned ,oiling the rollers and make sure they are spotless.    Sometimes the axle that the roller rides on  and the inside of the roller becomes dirty and needs to be flushed clean.

Good luck and keep us updated.

there was no visible evidence of a burn on the track or locomotive. I will oil the roller soon and report back

I find that the black oxide- because it was chemically created, slowly does reform or darken the rail. Not to point it was as delivered, but subdued enough and the fact the sides remain deep black helps hide it IMO.

Again, I simply used scotchbrite (green cleaning pads) and then carefully cleaned the rail to ensure none of the green abrasive was left behind (vacuum and wipedown of the rails and track roadbed).

@Sams Trains posted:

I haven’t oiled them, so I’m not sure. Do they need to be?

If your going to oil them.

I would recommend a conductive lube such as Bachmann EZ Lube, or Atlas Conducta Lube.

@RickO posted:

If your going to oil them.

I would recommend a conductive lube such as Bachmann EZ Lube, or Atlas Conducta Lube.

Rick , does long time usage of the conductive oils cause any problem between middle and outer rails or between rollers and grounds on the locomotive  ?

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Rick , does long time usage of the conductive oils cause any problem between middle and outer rails or between rollers and grounds on the locomotive  ?

Not that I'm aware of, am I missing something?

These oils are very light. I only use a drop or two on the roller pins. It seems like a logical choice when lubricating something that's conducting electricity versus a regular oil.

Having said that. I make it point not to over oil anything. Oil never makes it to the wheels or track. I clean the outer part of the roller with alcohol.

I've found it virtually eliminates passenger car light flicker,  to the point where I see no need to add capacitors.

UPDATE: Cleaning the wheels, lubricating the gears, and lubricating the pickup rollers resulted in smooth running, non sparking engines. Thanks all for the help