Premier 2-6-6-6 driveshaft noise

armfdOGR Forum Member

I am new to the forum, but not to the hobby. I have always been impressed with the knowledge shared within this forum. I have an extremely low mileage MTH Premier Proto2 Allegheny. With the sound off you can hear faint clicking from the front engine when the locomotive is in a curve. All is quiet on the straights. My Big Boy and other articulates run quiet on the same O80 track. The noise seems to be synched with the driveshaft rotation. I believe the source to be the driveshaft. If it were a car, I'd say "U" joints. Other than the low volume clicking everything operates well. Is this just the nature of the beast and should I not look for trouble? Will it diminish upon further break in? Also the loco is well lubed throughout.

11/11/154:25 PM

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D500OGR Forum Member

Indeed, it probably is a "u-joint" in your driveshaft making the noise. Not quite automotive-design, but close enough for a comparison.

Probably, all is well. However, as most of these steamers are pretty easily de-boilered, I'd

remove the boiler and have a look at the shaft and joints; there may be a cracked socket.

I fixed such a cracked (and failed) socket on my Lionel Niagara with a piece of brass tubing and CA.

It's probably fine and just has a noise.

11/11/154:46 PM

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armfdOGR Forum Member

Thanks for quick response. I found a wire coming from the pickup roller, which was routed through the driveshaft tunnel and touching the driveshaft. I moved and re-secured the wire thinking I solved the problem. No luck. (But still good because that was a short waiting to happen!) After de-boilering three times, I found the problem. The three screws that secure the motor mount were loose providing all kinds of driveline slop. A re-torque with blue thread locker and she is quiet as can be.

11/12/1510:38 AM

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