I received my first tinplate train yesterday, a 384E Blue Comet passenger set. I really wanted Standard Gauge and have always loved the colors of the Blue Comet. The quality is really impressive. I had to oil quite a bit to get it to stop squeaking. Also, we had a small issue with the tether inside the engine being a little loose and causing the train to run a little sporadically. Once we got the plug seated it worked great!
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Very nice Corey!! I hope you enjoy your Standard Gauge trains as much as we enjoy ours. These trains are a great reminder of a simpler time; running them always gives me a feeling of "everything's going to be ok."
Keep us posted on how your collection grows!!
"I had to oil quite a bit to get it to stop squeaking"
Corey,
It's tinplate.....It's supposed to squeak. Might I suggest that you start to clean all the excess oil off your cars and track.
I have pieces dating back to 1906 that still squeak. If the noise bothers you that much. You might try Lucas' Red-N-Tacky applied with a syringe to those special spots. It will not make a mess of your trains or track.
Don't worry, you'll get used to the tinplate rattles and squeaks.
Will do. The MTH manual said to oil the moving parts so, I did. I am hoping this will be an heirloom and want to do everything I can to make it last.
Sounds like you're at the top of a very slippery slope!
Enjoy,
Ed
Sounds like you're at the top of a very slippery slope!
Enjoy,
Ed
Yes, there is no turning back now!
Jeff Davis
very nice set indeed,,,i sold mine several years ago,,,really liked the cars,enjoy !!!
Corey,
Very nice 1st Standard Gauge Train, you will love it, especially at Christmas time under the Christmas Tree, with the kids!
PCRR/Dave
see this could happen to you
Corey,
I was only giving you a hard time (kinda) about the squeaks. I'm truly happy for you and your son. Speaking from experience, both of you will enjoy your "Tinplate Journey" even more with Std Gauge. My grandfather gave me my first Std Gauge set for Christmas 1943.
Remember, "It's All About The Journey".
it's all downhill from now.
..great looking set.
... I had to oil quite a bit to get it to stop squeaking. ...
squeaks mean friction and friction means wear. bearing surfaces on (at least original) tinplate are metal on metal. keeping things running well is a constant routine of cleaning and lubricating. if a light push on any tinplate car doesn't send it a few feet down a level piece of track, your locomotive is working harder than it should.
good luck... gary
I usually run most of mine for a lap or two out of the box for a sanity check. Most of them have some squeaks. A bit of oil is next and almost always cures it. My O Blue Comet from 2005 being the exception. Had a bad squeal in the drive train somewhere. A trip back to where I bought it did not work, then to an authorized service center who gave up, then back to MTH. Still squealed when it came back, but not as bad. A lot of run time eliminated the noise. A great quiet runner now.
Steve
so papa,,,,you have the rare "sound of squeal" !!!
Looks like the new train found a great home to be in.
Know you will enjoy!!
Corey,
The only squeal I hope you hear is from a happy little boy watching his Standard Gauge Blue Comet Train run around the track, glad you are having fun!
PCRR/Dave
It's all fun and games till someone get's a tinplate set, then the addiction starts...
I got a 1918 154 trainset a few years back and now I have 3 shelves full of tinplate trains as well as a trunk full of track and accessories.
It's all fun though.
Brian,
There is nothing wrong with the right kind addiction!
PCRR/Dave
Get a 400E and you'll never get rid of the tinplate fever!
I sure as hell wish I could get a 400e.
Very nice looking set.
I sure as hell wish I could get a 400e.
No kidding!
Welcome to the club!
Dave
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