How to do Basic Maintenance on Life-Like Pancake Motors - ONR GP40

[@jonathanrojas6136]

I inherited an old train set from my Dad recently and it hasn’t ran since the 90s. I set it up and it wouldn’t run. I replaced the wiring and cleaned the engine using your video and it works great now. Thank you!

[@chevdiver]

thank you for posting this. i have several old Life-Like Locomotives that are in dire need of maintenance and now I feel comfortable taking them apart. much appreciated.

[@adrianmoreno3064]

I really like the new way you’re filming your restorations and repairs of locos! It’s really helpful when some of us have similar models that need a touch of repair! Great video as always!

[@dbtech7914]

I agree.

[@davidztog9011]

You always make it look too easy, Harrison. Mmmm, pancake and maple syrup, can it get anymore Canadian? You've been using the foam cradle now. Saves on any additional damage to the shells of well-loved locomotives, which tend to be missing minor parts. As Tony the Tiger would say, she runs Grrrreat! Thanks for sharing. 👍 👍 👍

[@MattKonsol]

David Z to G scale how about waffles with it lol

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

Excellent maintenance of the Life Like GP38-2 locomotive.

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

You know SMT, without your videos we all watching you work on the Trains wouldn't be able to fix and clean Trains very well ...thanks

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@modelrailroader5619]

That was fun. So glad to see that foam cradle! Bet the engines are happier too😉 Keep up the great work.

[@Zebrails]

The screws into the truck assembly is a key feature. Better than all plastic snap-tabs. I was thinking you were also gonna clean\lube the other axles/wheels... increases conductivity/decreases drag. Having model trains for over 40 years and watching you (and other model train servicers) has increased my ability and self trust in servicing my older locomotives such as you have. Thanks a lot! John BC, Canada

[@northernvirginianrailfan2116]

This video is going to help me fix a bunch of my dad’s old locomotives

[@phoenicianlocal2363]

Is it just me, or are these videos starting to get more and more satisfying?!

[@haroldalexis4200]

I love this engine I love this railroad! I have Ontario Northland in a F 7 from Life Like unit I bought when i visited Toronto Canada many years earlier. Enjoyed watching your work on this GP 38 version. ☺👍

[@frankishknight1878]

Great masterclass. You use very precise and accurate language. You make it easy to follow.

[@aidan_rickard_v8303]

I've needed a good life like maintenance video, Great video!

[@KM-fm9ez]

Have one of these units that I have to restore and this video was very helpful. Thank you for posting Kenny

[@Istoeumapemba]

Nice! I've bought one Life-like (GP38 Santa Fe), and now I know how to proceed with basic maintenance. Thanks!

[@SMTMainline]

Good to hear

[@gymsreviews8155]

I just did my Bachmann Chrissie system two nights ago. Lol They are very easy to work on. I would say if you're going to work on one, work on one of these first.👍 Great video keep up the good work and looking forward to seeing your next video.

[@Gravity461]

Laughed out loud when SMT said “it’s not the quietest loco” because the one I fixed alongside this video is literally louder than a vacuum cleaner!

[@highspeedboom]

Life-like made some really good stuff back then. I have found that cleaning, and polishing the sides of the wheels , and pickups on the other truck really helps for slow crawling speeds. The wheels tarnish, rust after so many years. Nice video Harrison

[@kidreviewsmodels460]

Loved the video! I got a Santa fe gp40 for christmas

[@alcopower5710]

Nice runner (thanks to your handy work). Really like the colors on this loco

[@billholmes3833]

Excellent! Thanks I have a few of these to do.

[@jacholas1887]

Thank you for the tutorial! It helped me save a Bachmann dash 8!

[@jacojasso9901]

This is a useful video smt keep doing these videos they're great

[@jeffklockowskisr8377]

A little Teflon grease inside the gear area will really quiet down the life- like and Bachman pancake style motors . Nice job !

[@MoosesWorkshop]

Another nice restore!

[@dbtech7914]

Nice job, another great video. I usually put them together and then put a drop of oil on the outside of the main or center bearing and let it work in by running the motor. You have to show how Bachmann has that little tab screwed on the side to hold it in the chassis.

[@NorthAmericanTrains]

Very nice video! Even though it’s been awhile since I’ve had a life like locomotive, this video was very intriguing to watch and understand! ~Pedro

[@ajnorman321]

easy looking but hard doing keep up the good work and guess what im installing a motor on my grampas old engine because of you you inspired me

[@franciscovergara2902]

I remember those Life-like been like 15-20 bucks on average and working better than those Bachmann that cost 200-300+ bucks. Bachmann charges for their locos the same price as an European model(Roco, Fleischmann, Piko, Electrotren, Mabartren) yet the quality is worst than a 15 US dollar Life-like. That loco that you just fixed runs fabulous.

[@Frankodragon1]

Using some masking or painter's tape can help to keep all the small brushes, springs and screws together in one spot while maintaining a model locomotive.

[@easternncrailfan7594]

Words cannot describe how long I was in a garage with lots of debre on the floor looking for a tiny spring

[@SMTMainline]

It can be a pain...

[@easternncrailfan7594]

@@SMTMainline yes it can

[@metrolinxfan3005]

Now I get the term of “pancake moter “

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Cool EMD locomotive. Thanks for sharing. LJL

[@daviddeezmusic2313]

Thanks SMT, I have several of these and this really helped

[@ColbysProjectBin]

I'm going to restore one on monday that hasn't moved in around 20 years

[@hjmiller2689]

As far as I've found, these old Life Like motors were better put together than the Bachmann pancake motors. The motor is almost always cleaner with no wax tabs, no crazy wiring, but only brass wheels compared to Bachmann's silver wheels. Overall, both run almost the exact same.

[@MMRails]

Wow, you really took that thing apart. I was wondering when you’d stop and you didn’t. Just kept going until the loco became an exploded diagram.

[@Greasemannate]

cool loco smt! also good advice

[@natestrains1166]

Did life-like's pancake motor design come out first or Bachmann? Because one of them ripped off the other. The designs are identical other than the sideframes. Also I tried to lubricate a Bachmann F40PH with maple syrup, and it seized up, probably because it was an Amtrak unit.

[@matthewq4b]

The Life-Like locomotives were built by Bachmann for them.

[@jdcunnington]

2:24 - we call those "Jesus springs". It springs out and you say, "Jesus, where did it go?" Closely related to E and C-clips, AKA Jesus clips for the same reason. 5:59 - notice that crosshatching on the commutator. I see this also on Bachmann pancake trolley motors. My fix is to chuck that into a drill and start turning that against a 400-grit emery board (foam-core type), suitably narrowed, and work my way as fine as I can get it - 1000-grit to 1600-grit. At that point it should be smooth and shiny like a new penny (assuming it's copper). On the one motor I've done AND tested with a voltmeter, I took its starting voltage from 7.5 volts to 2.5 volts, which gave much smoother starts (less of a jackrabbit takeoff) and better low-speed response. If it were me, for ease of maintenance, I'd clip those wires and hook in a 2-pin connector.

[@rumblegriff906]

Do some older Bachmann's have these engines? I have a CN f-unit made in the 70s. It ran great when I first got it, but now it can barely pull 3 cars!

[@markwilliams2620]

Traction tires are gone.

[@dougb5202]

I'm really surprised one of the loco manufacturers hasn't made a modern version of the pancake motor setup using an out-runner brushless motor.

[@noman4087]

That's a sick locomotive

[@themissourianguy963]

The gear that connected the motor to the smaller gears melted. Little me was so confused as to why my train wasn’t going, now 7 years later I realized I should have stopped putting it at full power.

[@BALD8BIL]

What a great video and how to video!!!

[@crudecaboose8382]

Nice vid

[@modelrailroader5619]

That running gear and motor look pristine, I’m surprised it wasn’t running very well.

[@seanstrains6090]

Nice video

[@piedmontrailproductions4046]

Thanks you one thing can u do how to make a running locomotive to a dummy loco

[@Railroader1206]

Just to clarify, ONT 1803 is a GP38-2, not a GP40. Note only two radiator fans on top, along with a shorter radiator air intake on the rear.

[@jimkutney6113]

Nice video…what can you do when the plastic wheels are cracked and you need new traction tires?

[@Projeect2008]

i have an athern gp38-2 that was running dry on oil so i gave it oil and it ran quietly

[@UnionCountyPhotography]

That thumb looks like it hurts. Syrup should help it! Lol. Anyways, nice video!

[@MattKonsol]

Nice i might try this out someday on one of my life like gp38s and also will you show us how to maintenance on the tyco engines someday? I like to learn.

[@AJRvlog]

My life-like gp38-2 lights up fine but barely moves, and will only move if the controller is at full throttle, but then it starts smoking. I've taken it apart and the motor looks fine, but on the... comutator (sp?) There is a small burn spot on one of the holes. Do you suspect this part is the culprit and I should get a new pancake motor?

[@jejltrains4218]

Did you drill a hole in your finger. Idk it just looks like it. This really helped by the way

[@pauliski2813]

Harrison, how are you sir? It's a GP 38-2 , I have a Chessie B&O #4810. Not a bad classic loco( slow speed leaves alot to be desired) lmao💯 one of my first locomotives.. have a great evening.

[@tjprptchable]

Very cool video

[@terrysogaugetrains]

Hi Harrison, Thanks for this very helpful and easy to follow video. I run o scale but, my nephew runs HO. He asked me to get his 2 Life-like diesel locos running again so I decided to step outside my O scale comfort zone and give it a try. Both engines have pancake motors. When I cracked open the first one I found a tiny plastic spacer under the large gear that sits directly below the output gear on the armature. Is it supposed to go on the top or bottom side of that large gear?

[@SMTMainline]

I believe the spacer goes beside the gear but I have trouble remembering sometimes myself.

[@terrysogaugetrains]

@@SMTMainline Thanks

[@yourfellowpancake6335]

Welp that was easy to find (me looking on like 60 different searches for this)

[@dfwrailvideos]

Can you make a "How to restore a band-drive" video? I have an old RDC that runs, but won't start without help.

[@Rocka5438]

I've recently got an old locomotive with a motor that looks almost the same, it has an electric smell when it runs and a high-pitched screech sound, how would you reccommed fixing it?

[@superstars4829]

can you make a video on how to service a Lima pancake motor

[@christopherdelgaudio9484]

Why can I not find those clips on the side to drop the rear wheels!

[@RonaldPalarca]

I unfortunately have a Bachmann with cracked gears. Would you happen to know where I can get replacements?

[@jordanstrains7267]

smt do you have a video of working on life-like three pole can motors

[@SPNGMalibu18]

Do you know how to Take out an Athearn SD40-2 shell from the chassis and putting it back in?

[@colbeausabre8842]

It's a GP38 (2 stacks and 2 radiator fans). GP40's have one stack and three fans

[@normanrowe2831]

Nice. Thanks.

[@charliefitzgerald3903]

SMT what happened to your thump ???

[@josephbrandtner7713]

Professionals in the film and video industries clean their recorder heads with Ronsonol (lighter fluid). Acohol allows oxideation. Ronsonol prevents oxidation!

[@robertschmidt6383]

I don't really see you cleaning the brush contact on the armature. Also any flat contacts brass. Might make a difference.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Its nice that life like used blacked metal wheels for there locomotives rather than the shiny silver wheels because there is nothing worse then running a model with shiny wheels it doesn't look realistic so good on you life like:)

[@Ryanfry262]

What did you do to your finger nail? That looks painful

[@SMTMainline]

I drilled into it by accident, it doesn't look good but isn't painful.

[@leparcho]

Is this going to be the locomotive used for the general Lee Express

[@markmcdowell231]

I have a old CSX blue and grey 6825 it was bought in 1997 or in the 1980 s i can't get the body of locomotive it dose no screws on it that i can tell can you help me out thank you.

[@SMTMainline]

Is it possibly a Life-Like proto? On some locomotives you need to remove the coupler boxes before you can remove the shell.

[@davidstrainsandlego]

Needs syrup that will fix it

[@southernmichiganrailfan9841]

I have the same train

[@christopherdelgaudio9484]

I need to do this like five times with a dude like u harrison.to remember what the hell I'm doing!!

[@fairportrails107]

You should do one on a mantua motor

[@jaredt1356]

The commutater is burnt, there are no springs, and the wires came off so mines bad

[@Jarith_jenkins]

syrup always fixes everything just not my mental health

[@Project_29]

How do you get a life-like apart when the screws are stripped

[@SMTMainline]

You could try squeezing the plastic around where the screws are, sometimes the added pressure is just enough to get them out.

[@Project_29]

@@SMTMainline ok thanks

[@Project_29]

@@SMTMainline also I have a Bachmann pancake motor but I was taking it apart to fix it and the spring was lost

[@garydahill4240]

Hello. Check your local bookstore or amazon, ect. Look for a book called Diesl spotters guide. Has reference for locos of all builders ans models.

[@fairportrails107]

Life like pancakes are the easiest motor to maintain

[@Burlington_Route]

Im not sure it is a gp40, this is because there are three fans in the rear instead of two

[@oldschool7743]

Hey SMT what kind of oil you are using?

[@SMTMainline]

Usually Labelle 102

[@oldschool7743]

@@SMTMainline thanks man. Please subscribe also to my channel.

[@TheFourthStooge-4]

Locomotive is actually a GP 38

[@fairportrails107]

#teamlifelike

[@mattstrains416]

Noob question here: Why do they call it a pancake motor? I’m new to this and not an HO or N Scaler.

[@speedster1093]

Matt’s Trains you put maple syrup on it

[@SMTMainline]

It's because the armature is pretty flat. It's narrow like a pancake.

[@SMTMainline]

@@speedster1093 That only works on Canadian models.

[@speedster1093]

SMT Mainline lol

[@mattstrains416]

Speedster10 good one. 👍

[@ryanwest4599]

I hate to correct you, but that is actually a GP38, not a GP40. I have two of the Foodland ones by Life Like.

[@user.lucas12321]

what happend to your thumnail (on his hand)

[@SMTMainline]

A drill accident... it’s okay now

[@pieseasmyseas]

Much better design than Bachmann

[@440camelback6]

SMT I have same GP40 it a Santa fe.

[@speedster1093]

Hello

[@heli-man-]

He forgot to clean rear bogey wheels all looking oxidised

[@crsrdash-840b5]

It's a GP38. Not a GP40. It has the paper filter on top and does not have the larger turbocharger smoke stacks. Hey do a pulling test! I bet it can pull between 7-10 cars max.

[@fairportrails107]

You should retitle the video to lifelike pancake breakdown

[@SMTMainline]

Why?

[@fairportrails107]

SMT Mainline idk I just like that name better 😀

[@scottbrandt3814]

just do not tell your sister you used her toothbrush lol

[@warbabyproductions]

Heh what are you gonna do