Why won't my locomotive move..the engine goes but it just whines..?

Question

MY LOCOMOTIVE WHINES AND GOES NOWHERES WHEN THE POWER IT TURNED ON. THEN WHEN I TAKE IT OFF THE TRACK RIGHT AFTER THE WHINING NOISE, I SMELL THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR BURNING SOMETHING. ANYONE NO WHY THIS I HAPPENING? THANKS

Answer 1

Gear box problem. Oil then watch. Perhaps there's a problem with the wheel sets as well. Gremlin Guy has best recommendations.

Answer 2

It whines but wont go??

must be a female locomotive.

seriously, I have no idea but sounds like the motor is turning but the gear might be stripped andthe power isnt getting to the wheels

Answer 3

It sounds like the mechanism is jammed. The power is getting to the motor but it can't turn. This is what causes the whining sound and because the motor can't rotate, the coils inside it are heating up which is causing the burning smell. Don't try running the loco until you've had it seen to as you will burn out the coils in the motor - I speak from experience.

Get someone to have a look at it who knows about model trains and how to fix them, e.g. a local model shop or enthusiasts' club.

Sounds like your mechanism needs stripping down and cleaning, could be clogged with dirt or some foreign body trapped in the gears.

Gremlinguy (below) has some good advice there.

Answer 4

How old is it,and what model and gauge/size? Many of the '70's era electric model train engines suffered from poor quality gears, and would eventually break. Also it could just be lack of lube, the motor could be binding due to hair, dust, etc. Do NOT keep trying to make it move without disassembly and oiling! It will just make it worse, and probably burn it up totally.  Mantua, Tyco, Lifelike type engines all had cheap motors, and not much lube from the factory.

With these engines, you don't need MUCH oil, just a drop or so here and there. But you have to know how to do it. The body comes off one of two ways - held on by little screws, or little plastic tabs on the sides. If you can figure it out, and get it off, you can check the motor visually, to see if it's jammed up, and try to turn in with your finger. Many times, junk built up in the armature gaps, and caused the motor to stall, then burn up. Again, you need to know what you are doing, but if you are willing to be careful, and try it yourself, just don't bend anything if you don't know how to remove it properly, just touch it gently, and try to make the motor spin with your finger, or a small toothpick.

Good luck! - The Gremlin Guy - Big into HO, some Lionel, also other gauges and scales.