Steam engine rods bending or breaking when steamer is run upside down on a cradle???

Its a problem when the valve gear is very loosely connected. I noticed this on the '90s era pulmor motored hudsons. I don't apply power but turning the wheels by hand looking for binding I noticed the valve gear wanted to lock up. 

Not a good idea to power them up upside down unless you sure everything is tight and won't lock up.

Pete

I am in 2-rail, where the valve gear is generally constrained by the spindle.  I have never heard of this happening, but can understand if the crosshead or combination lever can swing upwards toward the boiler.

Build yourself a cheap roller stand. Set of 4 rollers, scrap lumber, and a couple pieces of track is all you need.

I place a paper towel that's been dampened with my favorite track cleaning solution (naptha or alcohol) across the tracks and run locomotive over it a few times....cleans wheels real good!

i dont run upside down for the same reason.  They were not designed to be run upside down.

Casey Jones2 posted:

I place a paper towel that's been dampened with my favorite track cleaning solution (naptha or alcohol) across the tracks and run locomotive over it a few times....cleans wheels real good!

I use that same method for the wheels of my FlyerChief Polar Express engine though never thought to do it with my O gauge engines. Will definitely try it on them.

You can clean the drive wheels with a roller stand too 

Laidoffsick posted:

You can clean the drive wheels with a roller stand too 

Good to know that. Thanks, Laidoffsick.

Don't force the wheels to turn! Some gears cant handle it.

Some can be turned by force sure.

Bottom line..know your loco and don't assume anything, test your methods carefully.

Lucky me, I can run mine in any position, but can't force turn the wheels safely on all.

  I often just let gravity spread my oil one side at a time over a couple days/ nights, and then some upright time and a wipe of excesses. This flushes bearings as well.