Lionel Post War 2035 engine is not running smoothly - Why?

[wpetrag]

To all:

I own a Lionel PW 2035 engine, which never ran smoothly for me even after careful lubrication. As a result, I decided to purchase another 2035 motor hoping that would eliminate the problem. However, I'm still experiencing the problem even after making this change. Is there something unique to this motor that often causes it to run sporadically; hesitating and lurching at times? Do the gears after 50+ years get worn and need to be replaced? I'm scratching my head on this one gang.......  I would greatly appreciate any assistance on helping me to get to the core of this problem and ultimately fixing the problem. Thanks in advance!   

 

[tbdanny]

Sounds like your drivers may be out of quarter - have you checked this?

[8ntruck]

Have you cleaned the pick up rollers and wheels?  Dirt on these surfaces can make any locomotive run roughly.  Throwing sparks from the wheels and pick up rollers is a symptom of poor electrical contact with the track.

 I just picked up a #235 Alco on e-bay. Runs rough as a cob - throws lots of sparks from the pick up rollers too.  I'm sure it will run better once I give it a a good lube job and clean the wheels and pick up rollers.

In a visual inspection of the gears, you should look for missing teeth, excessive slop or play in the axles and idler gears, and most likley, foregin objects wound in and around the axles and/or gear teeth.

You might take a look at your track too to make sure that it is not rusty or dirty.  A light buffing on the tops of the rails with a scotch brite pad followed by a wipe down with a cloth and denatured alchol or Goo-Gone is the way to address that issue.  Whatever you do, DO NOT CLEAN YOUR TRACK WITH STEEL WOOL!  Steel wool leaves 'steel dust' behind that will work its way into the running gear of your locomotives and rolling stock - this is not a good thing.

I have never had a 2035, so this is very general advice that applies to any locomotive.

 Good luck.

[wpetrag]

 Quartering requires special tooling; hence the need to take it to an authorized Lionel Service Station, correct? If so, what would something like that cost? Any chance that I may need to recheck how I secured the valve gear to the wheels when I reassembled the engine with the new motor? Another words, do the does the valve gear need to be put on any special way?  Appreciate the help!

[wpetrag]

 The motor was cleaned with mineral spirits and lubricated with white grease and the pickup rollers were cleaned as well. No sparks when the engine runs and it does run - it just sounds like the gears are screeching and making noise as the engine runs around the track. As far as the track is concerned, it's fairly new and I do not see any noticeable problem areas. Any other thoughts/suggestions? Appreciate the help!

[TRAINCAT]

The screeching noise is usually caused by the armature not being oiled. Use oil, not grease, on both ends of the armature shaft but sparingly. The idler gears may be wobbling on the shafts and that will cause rough running. Try cleaning the armature face with an eraser and wipe with denatured alcohol after. Make sure to clean the brush tubes as well.

On post war engines that have excessive sparking, even after cleaning everything, check for weak pickup springs. Even though they may feel stiff enough, often they are too tired to work properly.

 

Roger

[sir james I]

Biggest problem with this motor is a squeel/scheech sound. It can be easily  fixed with one drop of oil on both ends of the armature shaft . should run quiet after that. The 2035 and later 2025s have more gear noise than the early 675/2025 but that is normal.

[wpetrag]

 trainrat,

 

Thank you very very much! I carefully lubricated the armature with oil sparingly on both sides as you suggested and it runs GREAT now! To everyone who responded and offered other suggestions or recommendations, thank you! 

 

[sir james I]

Thats great, glad to help. Have fun they are good engines.