NorthWest ShortLine Locomotive | Diesels | Electrical

Many years ago, Neil Stanton designed and created the "Stanton Drive". At some point in time he handed off the project to NWSL to manufacture and sell the drive in various scales.

The drive holds the motor, gearing, and electrical connections right in the truck of the locomotive. This makes it possible to have more of the interior of the engine be available for other purposes. It also puts the majority of the weight low-down in the model. The modeler can choose to use two of these motorized drives, or have one powered and a (cheaper) non-powered drive, for those applications where two trucks are needed. The Stanton Drive also makes it easy to create small industrial switchers that only have two axles. The drives are DCC-compatible.

The Stanton Drive is available in S-scale, as well. They have these available (these are made when ordered, so allow several weeks before delivery):

Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, was a big force behind getting these drives made fit for S-scale. His smaller switcher engines required these, and so he was able to work with NWSL to get them to produce them. Having handled hundreds of these drives, Jim provides some insight into using them that may help you. By the way, Jim King also produces sideframes, for locomotives, that are designed for the Stanton Drives.

The entire first run of the drives that Jim ordered from NWSL had to be returned, because the majority didn't run at all while some just sputtered, then quit. The entire run was repaired and sent back to Jim, but he still experienced a few issues with them. Most of those came back OK, but he still had to work on several before final shipping of his kits.

Apparently, the common denominator between HO and S trucks is the lubrication NWSL used (likely in the O trucks, too). The previous owner of NWSL never changed the lube. Jim talked to his local Hobbytown USA owner who specialized in R/C planes and cars. He suggested washing out the thicker grease, and replacing it with Trinity Royal Oil bearing lube. The label says "super light weight low drag oil formulated for use on motor and axle ball bearings". Jim found that to be the solution.

If you are having problems getting/keeping Stanton trucks running, here's what Jim did to get his trucks running before shipping them to his customers. Connect the power leads to the truck off of a test track so power can get to the motor directly from the power supply. Turn the truck upside-down. If it won't run at all, runs in one direction only, or sputters, increase the power to 12 volts DC and switch the direction switch back and forth to break the motor loose. Once you get it running, reduce voltage until it barely turns and slowly add a few drops of the bearing oil to each geared axle. Let it run in for a minute or so and slowly reduce power until it stops. Reverse direction and slowly increase voltage. If the lube does its job, you should see steadier, slower operation with the truck. Add a couple more drops to each axle gear and run the truck in each direction for at least two minutes. Make sure wheels are clean (he found many of his Stanton drives had dirty wheels), place the truck on powered track and run it back and forth.

Jim believes that, overall, the Stanton drive is a good one for under-the-frame applications in small engines and will run well once the factory-applied grease is removed. The bearing oil stays thin regardless of climate or storage time.