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Okay, I have been reading bits and pieces of problems with trains, locos mostly, that occur after long term storage,  I am talking more than a year, perhaps several years.  I have locos that I purchased as new, although they were already old, that have never been run.  So, my question is what should I do prior to attempting to run them?  I know that oiling, and perhaps greasing gears, priming smokers, and inspecting traction tires should be done, but are there other operations that need to be done prior to operating?

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I think if you do all you described that you'd be fine.  I'd make sure any batteries are checked and/or replaced if they're MTH.  Lionel RailSounds batteries should be replaced after a long dormant period, it's unlikely they're still good.

 

I've taken to using purple Loctite (NEVER RED LOCTITE) on the rods of steamers after having a couple come loose and drop out.  My T1 Duplex pole vaulted off the tracks and plowed into a switch tower at a modular show, not good!  After the rods came loose on an Allegheny as well, I started taking steps to prevent that from happening.

I'll add one point.

If they have a battery, Replace it, then Charge it overnight before running the engine.

A battery that is several years old is suspect right off the bat.

Old MTH batteries are best tossed out. Current production no longer uses them but I have several old PS1 and PS2 engines that get a battery check as soon as they come out. The PS-1's batteries have been changed out.

I do not use BCR's tho many swear by them.

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