Testing Brass Steam Locomotive Checklist

             Owner                          Scale           Importer       Railroad                                        Class               Whyte                 
I    Initial Inspection III-cont  Testing the Model on the Test Track  - Continued
A Inspect Packaging for damage H  Check if drivers are on the rail at all times
B Deteriorated Foam I Check a brass guide for the production date and builder
C Clean model with Dustoff J Ask advice on Internet
D Visual Inspection    
E Separate engine & tender    
F Check Driver Springing, Valve Gear IV   Excessive Current Draw (Advanced Evaluation)
    A Remove engine frame from body, Inspect for interference
    B Test mechanism with DC power supply
II    Testing the engine without the tender C Visually inspect the drive train, disconnect motor and test
A Connect Engine to DC metered power supply D Reconnect motor drivetrain.  Disengage the gearbox. Test again
B Check drivers for binding E Spin drivers. Look for Corrosion in the driver bearings
C Place model on test stand, Apply power, Observe running F Look for screw interference.
D Check for Flexible tubing    
E Record Current Draw, Is it Excessive    
F Is the Motor Excessively Noisy V    Checking the Electrical Path to the Motor   
G Visually Check Quartering   A Check tender, look for previous problems 
H Visually Check for Mechanical Interference   B Clean Drawbar pin, bolsters on tender
I Model needs to be Disassembled for Inspection   C Check Electrical path in tender, locomotive
      D Clean conducting surfaces, wheel treads, track, test clips
      E Polish wheel treads
III    Testing the Model on the Test Track   F Clean the truck sideframes
A Connect the DC power supply to  test track    
B Place engine on track, apply power    
C Place tender on track by itself.  Again apply power VI   Seek help online
D Connect the engine and tender   A Check online resources available,  NWSL etc...
E Test Run model, Current draw should not increase +10%    B Join on an on-line group like RepowerAndRegear
F Record Current draw at full wheel slip   C If it doesn't run runs, don't pay top dollar, shop elsewhere. 
G Observe 'tracking' while running on test track