Locomotive Service Bulletin #2-2022 / Preparing New in Box P-2000 Locomotives for Service

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Service Bulletin #2-2022

Preparing new in box old stock Proto 2000 locomotives for service. 

Lehigh Valley PA1 #609 is still new in the box over ten years later. To remove the chassis and shell PLEASE read the instructions prior to attempting to do this. The foam insert has holes behind each and they are removed by using your fingers to push them carefully out of the foam. The shell comes out with the foam insert that inside and protruding from the shell.

Lubrication

The motor and bearings are definitely dry after ten plus years and should be lubricated prior to placing in service. The power chassis has a very large weight, a cab with figures and circuit board covering the tower gears and brass bearings that we need to access. Note the wires are affixed to the frame with a double sided tape.

Gently remove the taped  down wires from the weight. Unscrew the weight and then the locomotive cab and gently lift to access the front power truck. Add a drop of your oil of choice to the bearings and gears but not too much.

To access the rear power truck unscrew and gently lift the circuit board and add your oil of choice to the rear truck gears and bearings. With everything loose you can move the weight enough to access the motor shafts. Put a drop of oil on a rolled paper towel tip and insert between flywheels and motor to lubricate the motor shaft. When done carefully reinstall circuit board, cab and weight. 

Couplers

With the chassis reassembled turn it over to access the coupler pockets. The P-2000 PAs have body mounted couplers that can swing from side to side. The new model will have either Proto knuckle couplers or horn hook coupler already installed.

To open the coupler box use a small screwdriver to pop off the lid. For the rear coupler I've added a Kadee #5. 

The model comes with coupler doors on the front. If keeping them on the model remove front coupler and reattach lid. If removing the coupler doors follow instructions and pop them out towards the front. Use caution they are in there tightly.

LV PA1 609 and sister engine 611 both received Kadee #26 long center set couplers for the front. Both front and rear couplers of the PA locomotive lined up with the Kadee Height gauge.

Attaching Shell to Chassis

Slip front coupler if attached thru front coupler opening and hold chassis on top of shell. Using a small screw driver move the ladders to allow chassis to slide into shell. Place chassis into shell until it locks onto the tabs. That's it!

Break In

With locomotives now oiled, and assembled it's time for them to be broken in. I found the best way to do this is to run them forward and reverse for awhile. This should allow everything to break in evenly, get oil moving thru the gears and provide an opportunity to inspect and discover any issues.

This is also a perfect time to railfan the new motive power you have added to your fleet and enjoy your trains!!! 

A Locomotive Spotlight featuring the LV PAs will be coming soon!

 

Thanks for reading!!!

See you soon!!!