New to this looking for some help

[Anonymous]

 

I came across my old lionel sets while cleaning out the my parents attack. I inspected the engines and set up a small test track. I have a problem similar to others I have read on this sight. I have two engines, Lionel Diesel Switcher marked "Union Pacific 202" and A lionel 027. I have a type 1033 transformer. The transformer runs 5v to 16v from low to high on terminals U and A. The test track has good insolation between center and outside rails and when connected I get 16V all the way around the track using a multimeter. Both engines light up and move slightly when i move the switch from low to high, however they move perhaps 2 rail sections and then stop. There are alot of sparks as well.

Can anyone give me some suggestions as to what I can do next? 

 

[wrmcclellan]

gman,

Welcome to the CTT Forum!

You have done the right things to check electrical continuity to the track.

I recommend your next move is to take the body shells off, examine, and start to thoroughly clean the motors. You may have some old hardened grease and the commutators may be clogged as well. Make sure you keep the parts in order as you disassemble the motors so you can reassemble.

You can find exploded diagrams here:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm

 

[otftch]

I would try cleaning the track AND the loco wheels.A lot of sparks usually indicates dirty tack.I use a Brite boy(track eraser) for this.

                                                          Ed

[Dr. John]

What Ed said is important. A Scotchbrite pad works well, too.

NEVER use steel wool (filings can get in motor magnet) or sandpaper (removes plating from rails) to clean track. Don't forget to clean the track pins and make sure they are inserted tightly.

[phillyreading]

Welcome gman2560,

Clean the all wheels as well as the engine's motors, dirty or pitted wheels will cause sparks.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Great, thanks all for the advice. The tracks are dirty. I did however (luckily) use scotch brite, to midly clean them. I suspect some serious elbow grease in my near future () I will clean all as you have suggested and report back.

 thank you for the nice welcome and advice!

[CSXect]

A good cleaning of track and motor is a good first step also look for rust on wheels and track.

[Anonymous]

 

OK just so i understand....by "look for rust" do you mean clean all rust off?

the track is rusty...the wheels actually look very good. I will clean the wheels to be sure. The track will need some work.

 is there such a thing as the track being too far gone to be useable? Mine has some rust spots and some pitting

[CSXect]

If the track has a lot of rustyness it maynot be worth saving and there is tons of tubular track out there new and used. like others have said anything that will make fileings is a bad thing to do and depending on the amout of rust most cleaning tecniques will not phase the rust. Can someone chime in on what to do for rusty track?

[Dave Farquhar]

I know of two things to try on rusty track: plain white vinegar, or, better yet, Bar Keeper's Friend (if you don't have any, it's in stores in the cleaning aisle next to the Comet). The top surface of the track and the pins are most important. Some track responds really well to a scotch-brite pad with one of these cleaners on it, and some is more work. It just depends on how deep the rust is.

How do the locomotives run if you connect them straight to the transformer? I flip the locomotive over, touch one wire to one of the pickup rollers, and one wire to a metal surface on the body (a wheel on the lead or trailing truck works, or the loco frame). If the motor runs well hooked up that way, the problem is the driver wheels and/or the track. Still, a little bit of light grease on the gears and some light oil on the axles will help. If you have a hobby shop near you, Labelle oils and greases work well. Get the plastic-compatible ones. A tube of grease and bottle of oil should set you back about $10. Even shops that don't sell Lionel should have these because they're popular with smaller scales of model railroads and with slot cars.

[Anonymous]

Ok -

When I connect the 202 Union Pacific Alco directly to the transformer it runs well. I beliueve just based upon the time its been sitting it should be cleaned and relubrictaed but it did run.

The one I indicated as 027..I believe is a 247 B&O scout. The schematics rpovided above (via link) do not have a picture of the 247 but based upon the 248 ...thats what I have. The 247 runs so-so when power is applied to one pickup roller and not at all on the other. so I intend to disassemble and clean this one.

 Can anyone tell me if I can follow thew 248 exploded view in order to disassemble clean and lubricate?

 

thanks

[1688torpedo]

 Hello gman!    The 247 & 248 are the same basic engine. As a result, You can indeed use the 248 exploded view to work on your engine. I bet all it needs are New Brushes, a good cleaning of the Commutator & Grease on the Gears & oil on both ends of the Armature Shaft. In order to clean the Commutator use a Q-Tip & Dip one end of it in some Rubbing Alcohol & swab it around & use the other end to dry off any alcohol. Then use a Clean Pencil Eraser to clean off any Black Carbon spots which are residue left over from the Brushes being used as a electrical contact in the Motor. After all of this use a thin toothpick to clean out the slots on the Commutator & you're all set. If you need any parts for these trains here try Jeff Kane at the Train Tender Website & he'll help you out here & he has excellent service & ships parts same day he recieves the order. Take Care.