I spent some time clearing the flangeways in Grande loco shed this morning, mainly on track 6 but they all needed doing. The shed area now works a lot better than it did.
I then had a look at Sentinel No.14. This used to be a good runner but seemed to have become a complete failure. Taking it apart revealed that the motor had twisted round slightly in the chassis. No.14 is built on a Bachmann Plymouth mechanism, split chassis, no loose wiring. The chassis was free rolling with the motor removed and the motor turned freely when test leads were attached. I suspect the failure was due to the metal case of the motor coming into contact with both sides of the chassis, causing a short circuit.
With the motor wrapped in adhesive parcels tape and the loco reassembled it ran well in the yard at Grande. It also ran smoothly over the upper switchback points at Paño Cucina. After returning light engine to Grande No.14 hauled an empty mineral train up the hill to Cuarto with no issues so it will be assigned to the upper terminus as a spare engine.
Meanwhile, on the main line, doodlebug 26 was tested with a trailer coach. I’m thinking this may be used in lieu of the two car class 80 set during the April operating session. As a single car it can be berthed in the loco shed instead of on the carriage siding. Using the doodlebug for the afternoon passenger train from Grande will give the operator at San Fernandez something a bit more interesting to do.
The train will arrive at the main platform and uncouple its trailer before being turned then run round and set back into the station to await departure time. Whereas a class 80 just runs in, stops, and runs out again.
Playing Trains 
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