I have a Lionel 784 (6-8606) semi-scale Hudson with a problem. Since new, one of the magnetraction magnets has rubbed on the inside of the rear driving wheel. The resulting drag and poor axle alignment really hurts operating performance. This must be a common defect, because I bought a surplus frame intending to fix the problem, and despite assurances from the seller, it has exactly the same issue!
The magnet is secure to the chassis but off-center. I believe I read in the service manual that the magnets were originally affixed with "Iron Glue" and require special tools to remove and reattach.
Have any of you encountered this? The magnet that's rubbing is one of the ones added by MPC (the Postwar 773 only had 4 magnets.) At this point I would be content just to remove the offending magnet, if I can do so without creating obvious damage to the chassis.
I know there are some service center guys and good techs on this forum. I really want this loco to run "right." Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and advice!
Perhaps this will help...
http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/p/139102/1554572.aspx#1554572
Frank Silvia
TCA 79-14309
Disclaimer: I don't have a 784. But I do have a 783 that had the same problem. At first, I was able to pry the magnet away from the wheel with a small screwdriver, then superglue it in place.
That worked fine for a while, but then it came loose. And again. And again.
Finally, I just removed the @#$%#!*& magnet altogether. The remaining two provide plenty of traction. I don't know about the 784, but the offending magnet in my 783 wasn't fastened in with any supernatural "iron glue," and certainly didn't require any special tools to extract. Nor did it damage the chassis in any way to remove it.
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