Hello, I'm new to the forums and the hobby! I've been looking at starter sets for some time and recently picked up a Polar Express 6-30218.
Since this is my first train I had a few questions that I hope the community doesn't mind me asking, because I'm sure they are beginner questions
Should this set be capable of a "slow start"? As I slowly turn my remote nob to power the train forward nothing happens in the first few "clicks". Eventually it will start to sputter forward until it has enough speed it will run more smooth. So in short it does not appear to run or start a slow speeds. I assume this is normal for a entry model, but because I'm so new I wanted to ask to make sure it wasn't something defective in my train.
Kind of going along with the slow start, the train will slow down quite a bit in corners unless its running at a pretty high speed. It seems the train doesn't have enough "torque" to start slow, and hold a slower/medium speed through corners. I hope what I'm asking makes sense
I can try to upload video (not sure if those forum allows that) if it would help.
Anyway, I just wanted to be sure what I'm experiencing is "normal" for the train i picked up! Thanks in advance
Blake
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!
Your train needs to be run in.. run it around the track in both directions, plus forward and reverse for an hour or so to break the locomotive in. It should run better afterwards.
With any train set, it should be lubed and wheels, pickups & track cleaned before the first use. It doesn't say so in the instructions, but it is a good practice. No telling how long ago the set was produced and had been sitting in a warehouse.
The transformer should supply plenty of power for the loop of track supplied with the set. Yes it will slow down on the curves supplied with the set, you will need to purchase wide curves(O-72) to run warp speed around them. Even then, it may turn into a launch event.
Look through the Maintenance & Repair sub forum here on this site, lots of info there.
Hope this is some help and maybe others will chime in...
Happy Rails!
Dave
Awesome! Thank you for the reply. I've read a little bit through the maintenance & Repair sub forum. There is a lot of stuff in there!
Is there a specific place you can point me that takes about lubing cleaning like you mentioned? I'd appreciate it
Also, good to know there is a bit of a break in period. I'll run it for a bit and see if starts a little better at slower speeds.
Last question. Can i get any track labeled "Fast Track" for this train? I noticed there is "Fast Track", "Fastrack" (that could just be a type for fast) and a few different types of "0" tracks.
Thanks again for the help!
Hello Blake
Durring the break in period, vary the speed, run it fast, run it slow, forward, reverse, physicly turn it around and run it in the other direction on your track.
Fast track/fastrack, you can get it in various diameter curves, and as long as it was made by Lionel, no problem.
You can get connectors to enable you to connect to 3 rail track, also.
You will have to dig through the Maintenance & Repair and discover what is relative to your situation.
Happy Rails!
Dave