I have a Lionel 2026 postwar era Loco and 2 days ago it stopped going forward and will only go in reverse. I have moved the lever on the top of the loco and it still operates in reverse only. Any hints on repair will be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like your e-unit is sticking it may need cleaning which there are other a lot better at addressing that than I'am
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
also may be a loose wire at the e-unit
Reverse unit (e-unit) repair is a little tricky, though hardly impossible. Definitely too involved to explain here. You may be able to find a video on YouTube that covers it. Last month's CTT has some pictures and basic advice on cleaning one (which often is all that is needed).
If a good cleaning does not do it, you will have to decide whether to take it in to a shop for repair or to try to repair it yourself. People will tell you that e-units are too hard to work on and should just be replaced or repaired by someone else, but I would encourage you to try your hand at it. It is satisfying to be able to work on your own trains, and it will help you keep them running longer. And you may just find an enjoyable new aspect of the hobby.
I learned to work on Lionel trains from a 5-part series of repair articles by "Ray L. Plummer" that ran in CTT all the way back in 1991. The Kalmbach online store has these; they make for a very comprehensive guide to basic loco maintenance and repair. The article on e-units (June 1991) is super clear and easy to follow.
It definitely sounds like a problem with the e-unit. It could need a simple cleaning and lube job or it could be something bigger. I had a problem with the e-unit on a 2025 and I ended up replacing it with a new aftermarket e-unit. The repair was simple and I got the part from East Coast Train Parts.
Moving the E unit lever only keeps the unit in the same direction it was going in. It disengages it. If you are not mechanically inclined nor can solder, I suggest having someone who knows how to do the repair tackle it. If you can do these things , Google you tube Lionel E unit repairs. There is a great 2 part video of how to do it all. They can be a bear to learn how to reassemble. If you have no experience doing train maintenance and repair you should not try it. I do repairs for others and a lot of what I repair is trains other people nearly ruined trying to fix.
Roger
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