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Lionel 681 ballast (?) removal

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  • Member since
    April 2010
  • 4 posts
Lionel 681 ballast (?) removal
Posted by RAM126 on Thursday, March 6, 2014 9:29 AM

  I recently purchased a 681 with the knowledge that the wheels weren't turning due to dried grease.  I was able to access and free-up the end wheels (671-236) under the worm wheel (671-180) and the center wheel set (671-235) in front of that.  The next center wheel set and the the front-most end wheels  are very stiff and hard to turn.  I have sprayed them Simple Green, carburetor cleaner, and Kroil; but, they don't move as freely as the other sets.   I can't access their area to clean better as I could with the prior sets because of a ballast (?) that is situated in front of the E-Unit and on top of the smoke lever.  I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to remove the ballast.  I don't see and screws and it doesn't pull out.  Pictures are inserted. 

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,230 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, March 6, 2014 9:41 AM

Rob

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Thursday, March 6, 2014 10:24 AM

As far as I know, a 681 has magnetraction, and should not have a ballast weight.
I have been working on a couple of them recently, and noticed that the frame is drilled and tapped for the ballast, even though its not there.

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • 4 posts
Posted by RAM126 on Thursday, March 6, 2014 2:00 PM

This is what it looks like:

I called it a ballast, but am not sure what it is.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,230 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, March 6, 2014 2:19 PM

Take out the two screws holding down the ballast and lube the axle bushings with synthetic motor oil, working in to the friction surfaces.

Rob

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 1,786 posts
Posted by cwburfle on Thursday, March 6, 2014 4:35 PM

I cannot see any of the three pictures. There are just empty little placeholders.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,230 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, March 6, 2014 4:45 PM

No pic in this post.

Rob

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,230 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, March 6, 2014 4:46 PM

RAM126
Pictures are inserted.

No pics in either post.

Rob

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