Hi all!
Today my new Lionel Hogwarts Express train came in the mail! Being a huge Harry Potter fan, as well as a Lionel fan, you can assume how excited I was.
Anyway, upon opening the box and removing the train (very carefully!) I placed the engine and cars on the loop of track already set up around my Christmas tree (Fastrack, 0-36 curves-same as what came with the set).
However, rather than the smooth operation I was expecting, the engine took off in a very jerky manner and derailed on the first curve it came too. I found this odd as I wasnt running at a high speed. Upon removing all cars and the tender, I watched the loco carefully. The operation of it is very Jerky, and the jerkiness is more noticeable at slower speeds. It also has issues going around the curves. Sometimes it will de-rail, other times it slows to a crawl, but sometimes it runs through just fine. It also has a tendancy to "waddle" slightly, which leads me to assume if its a problem with the running gear it may be just on one side.
As we speak I am "running in" the engine and tender. It has been running forward at the 60 notch on the CW-80 (I'm using the one from the set. I have one from a few years ago that was used until this morning). As I have been typing the engine has derailed on the curves twice, but otherwise has remained on the rails. Soon I will reverse it and run it backwards for a while.
I bought the set from a well known train dealer on ebay, brand new. I wanted to ask if anyone has had problems like this with their Hogwarts Express trains before I shoot off an email to the seller.
Also one more thing. On one side of the locomotive there is a piece attached to the valve gear with slides along the frame of the engine. I assume it's a guide of sorts. There isn't one on the other side of the engine, however nothing seems to be broken off. Is this the same with others trains?
Oh, another thing. I have not yet run the train on the track that came with the set. I assume since its the same brand and radius that the track isnt really the issue.
If anyone has had any issues with their Hogwarts trains similar to mine, let me know if this is something that would require me to return the train to the sender, or something a good running in won't solve. If anyone wants to know exactly what the issues are or what the engine looks like running, I've taken a video and will upload it to youtube.
Thanks,
Nick
Nick! :)
They are nice running engines, both sides of the running gear should be the same. It is designed for 036 track and larger. So the tracks not your problem. Look for bent or binding side rods, some have been reported being received that way. If it still doesn't run good,and it should, contact the dealer.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thank you so much. I looked at the side rods and they were a bit bent. Rather than try to fix it myself I will be sending it back to the dealer. Thanks again!
It's to bad you got a bad one, they are good runners' and smokers, a fun set to have.
Also check the front truck when going in to a curve. I've had to adjust several for the same problem you indicated
Bill
Thanks all! I sent the seller a message and he said to send it back and he'd ship me a replacement set.
The seller is Mario's Trains on ebay. I highly reccomend them. Most of their items for sale include free shipping, and they ship promptly and are very helpful and quick to reply.
Good deal I have bought several trains from Mario and yes he is probably one of the best Ebay sellers when it comes to trains. I highly recommend him too.
Can't stop working on the railroad!
I have seen a lot of good reviews of Mario's Trains, will have to give them a try.
Bill T.
Yes, please do give them a try. One more note on the Hogwarts Express: Upon close examination the set seems to have been opened before and used, and then repacked as if it was never opened. Mario's trains didn't catch this as it was done well, and said to send it back and they would replace it with a Brand New, never opened set. Originally he was going to just repair the engine until I noticed it had been opened.
I will definitely be going back to them with my business in the future. Great service and amazing deals are hard to come by.
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