PS2 pulses at slow speed

By pulse do you mean that the speed oscillates slightly? Does it happen around the whole layout or just curves? I'm no guru by a long shot but have also seen this with a PS2 and PS3 on 036 Atlas curves. Things improved quite a bit after thoroughly cleaning the wheels. Like your PS2, my PS3 was relatively new as well. Hopefully one of the techno heavies will weigh in with better information.

I`m not a techno heavy, but I have found that by running the locomotive in reverse for 15 minutes helps with that problem. I do think  locomotives need a break in period, and that includes all brands.

By pulsing I mean it moves erratically at slow speed.  Wheels and track definitely clean.  I will try the reverse move and see if that helps.  Thanks.

Note that many MTH locomotives will not run smoothly below 5 scale MPH, which is what MTH says they'll do.  I don't know any of mine that will do 1 MPH smoothly, and most don't smooth out until 3-4 MPH.

If this surging is at higher than 5 scale MPH, the top suspect would be mechanical binding on one or both of the motors/trucks.  Take the shell off and rotate each flywheel until the wheels go around at least twice, do this in each direction.  Any feeling of binding of any kind is bad, they should turn like you're just holding the motor by itself, very freely.

How are you operating it, DCS or Conventional and what type of transformer?  Which model number?  G

I can confirm this.  I only have that will creep smoothly at 1-2 SMPH, and it's a diesel.  Most of my steam engines get smooth between 3-4 and some not until 5.  Ironically, the one diesel that does the slowest creep was a mess when it took it out of the box - I had to lube it and run it in  for a while before it smoothed out.   I also notice it can depend on what I'm pulling with it.  Just like the real thing, they will struggle with heavier loads.   Post up the speeds where things get jumpy if you can.

I am going to tinker with it now.  It was being run in DCS using an MRC AH601 X-former.

Amp meter smooth - barely drawing anything.  Stop and go at 1mph, better at 2, much less noticeable at 3, fine from 4 on up.  Since it only has 18 miles on it to be exact, I'm going to put some run time on it before I crack it open.  Everything is nicely lubricated so I'm going to leave it be for now.  What an amazing soundset this thing has!  They really outdid themselves on this one.

My experience as well. It varies from engine to engine. More so with the smaller switchers and less with the larger diesels. As long as it's normal I'm good with it.

Stop and go at 1mph, better at 2, much less noticeable at 3, fine from 4 on up.

That's completely within spec. Your engine is fine.

What Barry said.  As I said in a previous post, until 5 scale MPH, they don't warrant that they'll run smooth.  You want what is not available. 

Gunrunner,

Not that I want what's not available, just that this loco is the anomaly of the two dozen I have.  Curious that all my others are Frankentrains (PS2 conversions done by myself)  and this is the only factory made PS2 I have.

I don't have any that will run smoothly at 1MPH, my Cab Forward does pretty good at 2 MPH, but some of the factory PS/2 models don't smooth out until 3 or 4.  It's as good as it gets for the most part. 

I suppose you could do some fine tuning and alignment of the parts and squeeze a bit more low speed performance, I haven't had the time or the inclination to try.

Naah we're good. MP15 loco is fine.  A few years away from the hobby - it's amazing how much one forgets.  It seems a lot more people are doing conversions than ever before.  I've certainly done more than my share.  My problem now is that I need to do some downsizing but I can't bear to part with anything.

OOPS I miss read your post. When you said under 30 miles I read MPH!  G