Dapol N gauge Q1 - bad running

[firstonechris]

I have a Dapol N gauge Q1 No ND-094 which I bought some years ago.

I am at last able to turn my thoughts to building a layout with the stock I've been buying over the last 10 years or so.

I set up an oval test track with radii of no less than 12cm.

So far, all steam locos and diesels have run OK, despite long static storage. Even the Winnie spam can which hadn't moved since 2010 was running well, having initially accrued a magnetic bias in the motor!

There is one exception though which is the Q1. It runs quite well clockwise forwards and backwards. However, when facing anti-clockwise it's progress forwards is rather jittery.

Reports seem to make Its reputation for running somewhat mixed.

The wheels appear clean. I wondered whether the problem has anything to do with the lubrication link on the front.

I would like to remove the bodies of both the tender and loco to see if anything is binding and possibly try the model minus its bodies.

I gather that the tender is supposed to pull off from the back. I can see some clip-like lugs behind the buffers but nothing else.

As to the loco, I removed the screws from the chimney and the link to the tender. The front part of the chassis can be dragged out, but it all seems to hinge underneath the cab floor.

I'm obviously nervous of breaking anything in that area. Can anybody please advise me on removing the body from the chassis on both the engine & tender and/or resolving the running matter?

 

Edited May 7, 2021 by firstonechris
Not specific enough in question at end.