Oval

I use an oval of Bachman track (can’t remember the name, but it has integral ballast and clips together), using 24” radius curves.  I run the loco for 15 min in each direction, then turn the engine end-for-end, so the trucks are swinging the other way, and repeat.  Works great.

" Can I break it in by

  If you have the room for a small test track I'd go that route. A figure 8 would be great or as Jeff noted an oval is fine if you turn the engine end to end occasionally. Running on track would let you see how the engine performs on curves and pulling various cars. Add a spur or two and you can have some mini operations to test the switching capabilities of the engine and couplers, etc. Add some buildings and scenery and you have a layout   :> ) ......DaveB

Don't forget to reverse the

Don't forget to reverse the direction of travel occasionally...WITHOUT lifting and turning the locomotive.  You want to see how it behaves 'backing'.

+1 on the oval....

I put together an oval of 24" sectional track for this.  Not sure it matters but I did about a minute or so forward and then the same backwards and repeated increasing the time of each as I went

If all youhave is a test track.....

…..then use the rollers,run in the fwd direction at various speeds for an hour or 2,

then do the same in the reverse direction,hook up a volt meter  and watch how the draw drops over time.

as everything "breaks in"

Before/after testing of a decoder install or drive overhaul catches any "hics"in the setup,

at the bench, not at the layout.

Run it on the track

I just think to myself, I didn't buy it to run on rollers.    Enjoy watching it run and you will get to see how it performs with the track.

Ho ho ho

All I have is a shelf layout with no continuous run. Except at Christmas we run a DC oval under the tree. So depending on your timing that could be a fine break in opportunity!  Or just set up some of the roadbed integrated track temporarily if you have the space 

jeff

Thanks for the tips

I should have some old atlas snap track that I can use to set up an oval or figure 8 on the floor temporarily.  (Vacuum the area first to remove dust.)  Did not think to add volt and amp meters to watch progress, or to keep a loop for under the Christmas tree!  Thanks all.

Figure 8 Preferred

Good Morning Huthut,

If you have the room, a figure 8 will give the loco a better break-in.  It will test the electrical pickup on curves, the swivel of the trucks and the drive mechanism..

I've thought about building a figure 8 with an automated power pack to run forward - stop - backward - stop with adjustable speed and cycle times.  Something like 30-120 seconds per cycle.  The stop cycles would be a precaution against overheating the loco during the break-in period.