Sutton's Locomotive Workshop British Railways Sulzer Type 2 Operating Manual - page 15
7. Running-in and maintenance
Even though every model has been tested extensively in our factory, performance
characteristics will gradually improve with regular use. The locomotive should
initially undergo a ‘running-in’ period to allow all moving components to seat
properly. It is suggested that the model is left to run for at least 45 minutes in each
direction at a selection of different speeds. Lubrication has been applied to the gear
train and bearings during manufacturer.
Occasional cleaning and light re-lubrication using non-hazardous plastic
compatible oils and grease is suggested. Light oil should be used for axle and motor
spindle bearings, with a more viscous grease (such as Molykote EM50L) for the
worm and gear train. Good electrical continuity is essential for smooth and reliable
operation. Inspect the model before use and carefully remove any deposits, debris or
fluff that may have accumulated. As well as ensuring the rail head is clean, it is
imperative that an uninterrupted supply to the motor is maintained by regular
cleaning of the wheel treads and the wiper pick-ups acting on the back of the wheels.
This can be achieved using a pipe cleaner soaked in lighter fuel or similar solvent. A
touch of electrically conductive lubricant can be applied to the clean pick-up faces.
Avoid using abrasive materials which will scratch the wheel surface and make
cleaning more difficult.
To make this less of a chore, why not imagine you are running a real railway where
locos need to visit the shed in order to be given booked maintenance after running
for a set period. A regular ‘A-exam’ could comprise wheel cleaning, whilst a more
occasional ‘B-exam’ might include inspection and cleaning of the wiper pick-ups,
lubrication of moving parts, checking wheelset back-to-back measurements, etc.
8. Lighting and printed circuit board (PCB)
We know, through experience, that frustration has been encountered by many
modellers in trying to adapt or modify lighting circuits and printed circuit boards to
suit their specific needs. To this end, a simple but advanced design is utilised, capable
of handling both DC (analogue) and DCC (digital) control. It additionally incorporates
provision for sound by providing direct connections and space for a twin-speaker
system. For smooth and reliable operation, electrical continuity is paramount so you
will not find any unsoldered or ‘wiper’ connections here. All links with the main board
are made using industry-proven JST miniature plugs and sockets, which have the
added advantage of making swap-outs much quicker and simpler.
For DC users we’ve have stuck to our ‘keep it simple’ philosophy and have
avoided over-complication and retained robustness by avoiding constant brightness
circuits for the light emitting diode (LED) lighting. The lights are designed to be
prototypically dim
(marker and tail lights on the actual locomotive are only 25W
bulbs)
. However, some anti-flicker capability has been built in. As delivered, the DC
model will also illuminate the cab interior in direction of travel. This can be disabled,
if required, by unplugging the relevant LED connections wires on the main PCB.
The special DCC blanking plug incorporates a simple system for those wishing to
slightly reduce the top speed of the locomotive. By removing the ‘000’ SMD resistor
‘bridges’, the motor supply will travel via series diodes which reduces the maximum
voltage available by 0.7V (one) & 1.5V (both) without affecting the lighting.
For DCC users, the PCB comes in to its own, having been specifically designed to
take advantage of the latest developments in this field. The newest PluX22 (NEM658)
decoder connection is utilised to take maximum advantage of the 10 function outputs
provided by ZIMO’s advanced sound decoders. The decoders provided for this model,
manufactured specifically for us, have the PluX22 index pin (pin 11) in place as an
active output (FO8) and we have described these decoders as PluX22e (enhanced).
Each group of lighting, at each end of the model, is allocated to an individual
Function Output, always with a Common (+) line nearby, so that operation can be
made completely independent of each other, a feature that we have taken advantage
of in our DCC-fitted models. This also allows you to re-programme configurations
if so required. Our DCC-equipped models feature optional lighting modes with a
default of forward markers only (as if hauling a train). At the touch of a button, the
tail lights can be switched on for a ‘light engine’ movement. Similarly, the cab interior
light can be activated in one movement. Illumination throughout the model is
provided by miniature surface mount warm-white or red LEDs with in-line
protective current limiting resistors. Using ZIMO software, the lighting has been
programmed with ‘soft’ on/off to mimic tungsten filament bulbs ‘brightening up’
and ‘dimming down’.
SLW Class 24 Operating Manual
Page 29
Page 28
SLW Class 24 Operating Manual