Traction Issues with Old Style Plarail James

Hi guys, back again needing help with one of my plarail engines. I recently acquired the older style of the Thomas Plarail James engine with the battery in the tender compartment, and he works fine with one exception. He seems to have traction issues on the curves and can barely pull a single car without struggling immensely. Now, I will say that I am running him on the newer style of Trackmaster track (grey with open-air sleepers) but there are two caveats to this: one, I have tried him on the TOMY blue track and have been having the same issue, and two, other tender-powered, engine-driven Thomas characters including old-style Edward and Henry have no problem navigating the curves at all on TOMY or Trackmaster track. Any advice you guys can give me on how to improve James's performance would be awesome!

[Super]

Hi T-Blue

First I have to say that I don't have any Revolution track to speak personally but I have discussed and viewed many videos on the subject of original trains running on those tracks. But you say you are having the same issue with James on Tomy tracks so I will go with that. There are a few questions and suggestions I have...

Are the traction rubbers in good condition with no wear?
Do they stand proud of the plastic wheel?

You may want to try running James with a AA battery in the tender to 'lighten the load' to see if that helps. If you have any of the round soft packing peanuts around will help keep the AA in place (see picture) or use a 'C' to 'AA' adapter.

It might be a cracked gear. They will tend to slip on the axle and cause a loss of power and traction. A drop of super glue (ACC) in the crack will usually fix it but you’ll probably have to disassemble the locomotive and get the drive axle out to avoid the likelihood of getting glue in the motor or other unwanted areas.

Trackmaster 2 track takes a lot of hits around here but generally, I don’t have trouble running Plarail and Trackmaster 1 engines on it. The major disadvantage is that things like stop tracks and some special features don’t work with those trains.

[Super]

Good point OTR. Are the drive wheels spinning on the curves or do they stop spinning?

my TnA James (UK version) has that aame cracked gear problem.

[ripley802]

I agree, sounds like the gear may be slipping. But.. @Super, that is a fantastic idea for securing a AA in the “C” style tenders. :-)

[Super]

I know,,,right? I have loads of ideas, so much so that my family and friends are always telling me that "I am Full of It"

If you can get your hands on a Mr motorman it may work

I know,,,right? I have loads of ideas, so much so that my family and friends are always telling me that "I am Full of It"

Hey, I hear that from the folks close me as well! At least I think they’re saying I’m full of IT!

Yes my Salty, Oliver,and Boco had this split gear problem

My solution: change the motor wheel of those engine and put the motor wheel of a broken engine in their place (gear has to be of same size)