Question about a MPC era GP9

You might want to replace or repair. Just doesn't look right to me and could be causing the sparking. 

Thanks O-Gauger. 

There about 3 different roller types on the GP's.in the MPC era.  What is the engine number?  Or a pic of it.

That 8030 probably has 4 rollers - 2 on each truck. Let's see a bottom view.

Here is a bottom photo, thanks!

The hollow rollers are not very good. You really got to keep them clean on both the inside of the roller and the outside of the roller. On the other truck assembly you need to clean the roller and the roller pin. 

It has two types of rollers.  The ones on the right look like the PW type.  The ones on the left look like a type MPC used for a few models when they started up in 1970.

Try some TV tuner on the rollers.   But do not put on the traction tires.  Not good for them.

The hollow motor truck rollers were found to be problematic very quickly with overall contact issues, and dead spots traversing O-27 switches and crossovers. While they used up that run of 8030-100 motors, and well beyond even into 1972 after the improved version arrived, the 2328-173 pickup assembly was installed on the non-powered truck to provide better continuity. These "Hillside" collectors were allegedly sent to service stations too for retrofitting. I have not seen any 1973 or newer diesels with the extra rollers installed from the factory.

I'm guessing the sparking is coming more from the 2 power truck wheels that do not  have the rubber traction tires.

Thanks Rob!

Some sparking from wheels and rollers is normal, keeping everything clean(including track) will minimize it.

The pickup roller on the back end looks like an add-on from a horn kit to me.  You might open the locomotive and see if a horn kit was installed, in which case you may be able to resolve the issues by removing the speaker, board  and pickup roller. 

hobby-go-lucky posted:

The pickup roller on the back end looks like an add-on from a horn kit to me.

The 2328-173 pickup assembly was factory installed on all 8030 diesels to provide better continuity. These "Hillside" collectors were allegedly sent to service stations too for retrofitting to those early ones that left the factory without them.

and on switches with the non-derail feature, there will be sparking from the track with the control rails!

The 2328-173 pickup assembly was factory installed on all 8030 diesels to provide better continuity. These "Hillside" collectors were allegedly sent to service stations too for retrofitting to those early ones that left the factory without them.

You can drop the "allegedly".
They surveyed their retailers to find out how many engines they had in stock without the 2328 pickup, so they could send out pickups for the retailers to field install. I have the letter.

Engines do turn up with the roller pickups only.

As others have posted, some sparking happens.
You can clean the track and rollers very carefully to minimize it.
Even brand new rollers will spark if the track isn't very clean and smooth. (Track gets pitted over time)

Thanks for the feedback everybody, and Hobby go Lucky, no presence of a sound board at all after removing the cover. I guess I am relieved that some sparking is normal. Very notable is the fact this 8030 just flies around that track - wow she gets going!  

UH, my son has this engine, and it has only one set of pick-ups--on the power truck--and they don't look like either of the kinds of pick-ups in the picture.  The rollers are on short arms secured in the bottom of the truck.  There is not additional set attached to the non-powered truck and no evidence that had ever been.  FWIW.

UH, my son has this engine, and it has only one set of pick-ups--on the power truck--and they don't look like either of the kinds of pick-ups in the picture.  The rollers are on short arms secured in the bottom of the truck.  there is not additional set attached tot he non-powered truck and no evidence that had ever been.  FWIW.

Yes, MPC redesigned the pickup assembly on the power trucks, and they were able to discontinue using the extra 2328 collector assembly. So 8030 IC Geeps turn up all three ways.  I am uncertain whether the 8031 CN Geep ever came with the improved rollers.

All things are answered eventually - I bought an IC #8030 a few months ago off Da Bay and noticed in passing that the non-power-truck's pickup assembly looked "out of place", now I know why.  Now if I could just get it to pull a decent-sized consist - I've got new tires on it, run it backwards, etc. but it still starts slipping once it gets to pulling 8 or 9 MPC-era cars that my other engines just sneeze at.  It seems as though it just doesn't have enough weight over the power truck to keep good contact when placed under a moderate load.  It's a shame - 'cause it runs silky smooth, quiet, and fast under light load.  Anyone with more ideas for getting more pulling power out of these GP-9s?

JTrains posted:

... Anyone with more ideas for getting more pulling power out of these GP-9s?

I have used these adhesive wheel weights, they are also available in smaller quantities at Harbor Freight.

You have the earliest version of this engine as it has the large handrail stanchions. I bought one in 1970 across the street and a block west of Madison Hardware in NY City when I was 14. I think the place was called Julies. My engine did not come with a second set of rollers on the non powered truck. Eventually I added a set that I had to pay for. That engine is long gone, but a few years ago I replaced it with a mint one off eBay. That engine also never had the extra rollers installed and still doesn't as I am keeping it original and un-run.

Thanks everyone, sure am getting a lot of knowledgeable replies.  It's very handy having a forum that augments the hobby so well. 

You have the earliest version of this engine as it has the large handrail stanchions. I bought one in 1970 across the street and a block west of Madison Hardware in NY City when I was 14. I think the place was called Julies. My engine did not come with a second set of rollers on the non powered truck. Eventually I added a set that I had to pay for. That engine is long gone, but a few years ago I replaced it with a mint one off eBay. That engine also never had the extra rollers installed and still doesn't as I am keeping it original and un-run.

I've been told there was a place called Julies near Madison Hardware. I didn't know about it back in the 1970's, and was never there. I used to walk down 23rd street to get to Madison, and if it was still in business, I didn't notice the shop. I wonder what year they closed.
Often I did stop at a store called Savoy Merchandise. They sold all sorts of stuff, mostly wholesale. I started going there because they had an American Flyer logo in an upper story window. About 1/2 way back in the store, along one side, they had a small counter with some current production Lionel Trains. I used to purchase trains from them once in a while. I think I got my 8031 CN Geep from them. I am positive I paid $25 for it.

Anybody else ever go there for trains?

SeanG posted:

I've been getting back into the hobby and while I have been acquiring mostly new equipment, I took a fly on this MPC GP9 era engine off the bay. She does run, lights are nice and bright, a bit of a buzzing noise, but otherwise OK. But it appears the pickup roller has lost tension.  And I do see sparks when hitting the curves. 

My question; does this pickup roller look OK? Thanks.

The buzzing is the Eunit, it's way common on these GP9s. The Eunits aren't very sturdy either replace with an older post war unit, an electronic unit or put a full wave rectifier ahead of the coil as it helps to feed it a diet of ripple DC instead of AC this sometimes takes a smoothing capacitor but if you go this way try the naked full wave bridge first.

Bogie

Just to let you guy's know  Madison Hardwere is longer in businnes

It' now a 711 Store. Good for Coffee and Lottery Tickets................

It's been out of Businnes for over 25 yrs a least. 

Good luck.John

C W Burfle posted:

I've been told there was a place called Julies near Madison Hardware. I didn't know about it back in the 1970's, and was never there. I used to walk down 23rd street to get to Madison, and if it was still in business, I didn't notice the shop. I wonder what year they closed.
Often I did stop at a store called Savoy Merchandise. They sold all sorts of stuff, mostly wholesale. I started going there because they had an American Flyer logo in an upper story window. About 1/2 way back in the store, along one side, they had a small counter with some current production Lionel Trains. I used to purchase trains from them once in a while. I think I got my 8031 CN Geep from them. I am positive I paid $25 for it.

Anybody else ever go there for trains?

You are correct. For some reason, people I knew called it Julies, but it wasn't really that name.  Julie was an employee at the store, and he left in the early 70's and opened shop in the arcade that used to pass through the middle of the block between Gimbel's and Macy's. Julie's new shop in the arcade sold trains, cribs, baby strollers, high chairs, etc. I bought my first used engine from him. It was a 2035. I think his store lasted about 2 years.