I received a Hartland (Ward Kimball) Disneyland Railroad 2-4-4 ($500.00 later) for our children’s program Disneyland Railroad train of LGB cars. I was in complete shock at how beautiful the locomotive is and how unable to pull cars it was. I set it on the track and put 1 LGB DRR open air riding (4 axle) car behind it and it sat there and spun out moving a short distance then stopping and repeating this over and over again (with 15 foot Aristo. curves). It even spun out by itself occasionally as it went around the track. Good luck with two or more cars! The real Ward Kimball at Disneyland pulls 6 -8 cars and I really need to know if I should send this brand new locomotive back to Disneyland. Why make a locomotive that is pretty but won’t pull anything. It has an industrial grade motor and gears, according to the manual. I spoke to Hartland service and they say, that this is how the locomotive is due to it’s light weight and size. There is no room for extra weight plus I tried two Aristocraft Dash 9, 3 inch by two inch by 1 inch weights over the top of the locomotive, above the drive wheels and it finally pulled 1 car, but still slipped on curves. Hartland says cut out a section of the rear truck spring (to much tension from front lead wheels and rear trucks causing the drive wheels in the center to loose contact with the track) and the engine will pull 2 cars max, but this one won’t do that as it can hardly pull one with extra weight. I am looking for someone with experience with this model or (the La Porte, Princess etc.) that can tell me about their experiences with it in regards to this problem. Or maybe someone has some knowledge of others with this issue and wether it was ever resolved. Can it be fixed without mangling the product or is this a lost cause? Should I return it? I need a DRR engine capable of pulling at least 5 LGB cars and have searched for one for 5 years at a price our program could afford. This is the most beautiful locomotive I’ve ever seen that matches our train so well and it’s going to be a huge loss if it has to be returned and there were only 100 made. Maybe it will become someone elses shelf display? Advise? Ken c/o Imagination Station Kids on Track
Wish I can help you. All the Hartland engines have are great pullers and have weight to them. I wonder if it was produced in thinking that it would sit on a shelf as a static display rather then run since its a special series?
Yea, your probably right but that is sad because we sure could use it now. Don’t know what to do now! Ken
Locomotive has been returned to Disney for refund. No solutuion! Ken
Ken you can also try getting the HLW 4-4-0. I have seen it run and is great running/pulling engine. You should give it a try and maybe have someone do the disney logo ect on it for you.
We are working with the HLW Jupiter now and will be having work done to it in March. It is a great idea and like you said “it’s a great running/pulling engine”. Thanks so much for your help! Ken ISKoT
Shame on HLW for even selling an engine that won’t pull a train! There’s no excuse.
They actually make very good products but I think this one just was’nt equipped for our needs. OH well, that’s life! Ken ISKoT
If the wheels were spinning but the train wasn’t moving, it probably just lacked enough weight to give it traction. You might have been able to add some weight, but that would require partially disassembling it. You wouldn’t even know if there was any room to add weight until you got it opened. So it would have been a bit of a risk – if you opened it and there was no room for extra weight, you might not have been able to return it.
Well,
I’m inclined to believe something was hanging up on the chasis and creating a large amount of drag.
I can’t believe a properly functioning HLW loco wouldn’t pull one car.
Even a New Bright piece of junk will pull a few cars.
Ralph
Ralph,
I greased the chassis and all moving parts and Hartland said the spring on the rear truck may have had to much tension so I used a less tentioned spring and added weight but it still only pulled 2 cars and after asking HLW they said, that is about it’s max load. It’s a great engine but I have to big of a load for it so we may change our Jupiter HLW 4-4-0 into a DRR locomotive and it will have no problem. Ken
Ray,
We tried adding 2 Aristocraft Dash 9 weights above the drive wheels. That actually created more problems on curves but 1 weight made it pull 2 cars with some slippage on curves. Ken
Ken-
For me, what is missing in the dialogue is HLW’s response to why the inability to pull under the premise they manufactured the engine for Disney. What were the specs that caused this bizzare inability to pull that is so easily remedied with the HLW Jupiter?
Very puzzling.
Wendell
Ken / Imagination Station Kids on Track said:Ken, I guess I did a poor job of explaining myself. I'm thinking something was dragging on the track. Cowcatcher or some other part of the chasis. I had this problem with another brand of locomotive. It wasn't repairable, as the chasis was warped and the front would drag on the track. It would spin the wheels without any cars behind it. Ralph
Ralph, I greased the chassis and all moving parts
Wendell,
I understand now after doing some checking that HLW has come up with a solution, now available to all who have purchased this type of locomotive, simply by calling them. (to late for me now that Disney has the locomotive back)
I believe the difference is the drive wheel size among other things but you would have to get in touch with Hartland for an accurate answer.
Ralph,
I did check for something dragging and nothing was and as far as a warped truck frame or other part, there was niether. All wheels seemed to run fine with no drag but as I said up above, HLW now has a fix, although I am not sure what it is.
Ken c/o Imagination Station Kids on Track
Ken; Saw this too late to help. My “La Porte” HLW Forney had a very stiff rear truck. The center pin resisted tramming back and forth in the slot under the bunker section. This resistance to tramming caused the front drive wheels on the locomotive to derail on most curves under 10 ft diameter. After sufficient lubrication with a plastic-safe grease, the locomotive settled down nicely. It will now negotiate a 5 ft diameter curve without trouble.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/HLWLaPorte05.JPG)
The rear truck under the bunker was the trouble-maker on my locomotive.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/HLWLaPorte03.JPG)
Somewhat blurry, but here is the locomotive negotiating a 5 ft diameter curve. I figured I’d post anyway, in case others are having a similar problem with their HLW Forney. Yours, David Meashey
Dave;
Thanks for posting that and I believe that there are some others who may be also very greatful for your information. I unfortunately sent the locomotive back. But I did find out (also to late) that HLW has a fix for this problem for all owners of new locomotives of this type. I wish I was able to keep it but I need something with Disneyland Railroad on it and it needs to pull no less than 8 cars. In G scale steam that somewhat resembles Disney locomotives, it’s just about impossible to find a locomotive that can handle that without damaging gears. Thanks! Ken
Ken,
I don’t know if you’re limited to Disneyland or if Disneyworld Loco’s would work.
The Roy O. Disney at Disneyworld could be replicated with Bachmann’s 4-4-0 American.
It would require custom paint & decals.
There are several pictures here: http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=15106
Ralph
Ralph;
Our cars are all Disneyland Railroad but I don’t think the locomotive name matters to kids that much. The funds provided to obtain a Disney type locomotive for our train were donated by kids and their families. I am going to have to see how this idea will work out. A Bachmann engine may have gear problems pulling 8 LGB Disneyland cars. I do know a locomotive painter but cost can be pretty extensive especially if the locomotive won’t pull the full train. I do know about a company that installs high quality drives in Bachmann locomotives which makes them astonishing pullers but that goes way above what we could ever afford to do. But this is something to consider and we will. I appreciate the input. Thanks a bunch! Ken
Ken,
The 4-4-0 should have no problems pulling. A well built locomotive.
Quite detailed, as well.
It really is a world apart from a Big Hauler.
I’ve seen them at the Spring ECLSTS, new for $175.00. They are getting harder to find, but not an impossible task.
You should give Nicholas Smith Trains a call. They have a lot of new, old stock trains.
Ralph