Lionel Engine 2055

[swain74]

I have a Lionel Engine No 2055 that had been in storage for 40 years.  I set up a 4 foot test track and hooked up the transformer (No 1033) and was able to make three passes with the Engine.  Lights worked but it was very slow and sluggish.  Now, I can't get anything to work on the engine.  No lights or movement.  I have other train peices that I have tested and they work so I feel the transformer and track are getting proper power.  The Engine is hot on the bottom to the touch.  Could have I burned up the motor to the engine.  If so, is that easily replacable.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks

SS

[wjstix]

Could just be old dirty track?? Even if it looks clean the track might have some problems. I'd try the engine again with new track or clean the old track with something like Life-Like track cleaner (including the pins that connect the track sections together). Since the engine did run some, it probably has no major problems, but might need some basic maintenance work like cleaning, re-lubing, brushes etc.

p.s. you probably meant to post this in Classic Toy Trains forum, not Classic (real) Trains.

[UP 4-12-2]

Whatever you do, I hope you didn't clean track with steel wool.

It is the most common mistake made with toy trains--the steel wool shavings get sucked up into the magnetized motor and fry it.  Happens very often (I'm a former train store employee).

John

[wjstix]

Plus using an abrasive of any type on tinplate track can make it easier for the track to rust, since it's scouring away part of the plating.

[selector]

Moved by selector to Classic Toy Trains forums.

[dwiemer]

Before doing anything, I would suggest doing a good cleaning and lubrication on the engine.  The bottom getting hot could be a short, or perhaps a loose screw etc. on the pick up rollers.  Also, the pickup rollers, if dirty could cause that.  If you are not familiar with cleaning and lubing a Lionel engine, you may want to look at the home page for "Classic Toy Trains" and they have some information on cleaning old engines.  Some good folks here that can walk you through the steps too, but if you are not inclined to do it yourself, you could go to a local hobby shop and have them do it.

Dennis

[servoguy]

When an engine is "slow and sluggish" it is time to turn off the power and fix the problem unless you don't mind burning up the motor. Any engine that has been unused for 40 years should be lubed and cleaned (if necessary) before it is run. The two things that do the most harm to toy trains are dropping them and running them without proper lubrication. I recommend 5W-20 engine oil, but opinions vary on the best lube to use. You need to lube all the axle bearings, the gears, the shafts that the gears ride on, the armature bearings (both sides), the pony truck axle bearings, the trailing truck axle bearings, the side rods and main rods and anything else that moves. Pick the loco up and see if the wheels spin freely. If they don't, then lube the engine. If, after you lube it, the wheels still don't spin freely, you probably have missed something. I recommend lubing the commutator, but that is my personal preference. As Bob Nelson points out, this is somewhat controversial. I recently lubed a couple of Scout engines. The wheels did not turn easily when I turned them with my thumb. A little oil, and they were running fine. Bruce Baker