I have a noisy Southern Crescent #8702

[Prairietype]

It sort of growls, almost like my 2343. I don't think this is the way it should sound, and I'm pretty sure about this because I have two of them and the other runs very quiet (and I also have a Chicago and Alton that runs quiet also.)

The Crescent's are a recent acquisition. I bought them as a matched pair from a backyard seller, and they have some wear, but they look good at any rate.  I lubricated the moving parts as indicated in instructions for this type of locomotive, and as mentioned one runs quiet and the other growls. The growler moves well, and when opened up fairly screams down the track and it pulls ok.

Is there some internal lubrication point that must be accessed by taking the boiler off? If so, I need advice because this is soemthing I have never done and don't know where to begin or what to do.

Thanks in advance.

Prairietype 

 

 

[magicman710]

Growling? Dont let it eat you!

 

Grayson

[1688torpedo]

 Hi Prarie!    Your Southern Cresent most likely has a Dirty Motor that needs to be cleaned & oiled which is very easy to do. Unscrew the Phillips Head Screw on top of the engine (in front of the e-unit lever) & unscrew the Ashpan screws (2 of them) Take off the Front Four Wheel Truck & there is another Screw that Holds the Cowcatcher to the Front of the Casting & then the whole engine will be apart. Clean the Commutator that is on the end of the Armature Shaft with Rubbing Alchohol & Q-tips. Clean out the Brass Tubes on the Brushplate that have an open end with a Q-tip & Rubbing Alchohol also. If the Brushes are worn down.(say to 1/8ths of an inch for example) then, they need to be replaced for peak performance. Lube both ends of the Armature Shaft & oil all moving parts, Gears & Axles too & your Cresent should run like a top again. It should no longer growl after you work on it. Take Care.

[sir james I]

Also check the brush plate. see if it has a metal armature bushing, if not replace it with a brush plate that has one. Without it the fiber plate will wear into a oblong circle and make the motor growl.

[1688torpedo]

  The Cresents had no Bushing on the Brushplate for the Armature Shaft as Lionel did not do this until the next year(1978) with the #8801 Blue Comet Hudson. The Hole in the Bushing will have to be reamed out for proper fit & tolerance as the Armature Shafts are of a different diameter between the two engines. Take Care.

[sir james I]

The blue comet brushplate will fit the crescent.  This is an add on.  By the time the comet was due. The hole in the crescent brushplate was already wearing on engines that were being run I can't say thats why Lionel add the bushing but I did replace a lot of brushplates from the comet part. they were tight going on but once in place are still working today.

[Prairietype]

Thanks to all for your advice. I have not had a chance to work on it yet and will use your instructions first, when I do.

 Prairietype