Lionel B6 problems

[Anonymous]

Has anybody else had a main gear failure on the Lionel PRR B6 locomotive. Mine is stripped out so that it spins on the axle. I am ordering a replacement from Lionel, they are only $6, but for the mean time, I drilled a small hole between the teeth and I am going to try putting a small set screw and lock the gear back to the axle, it might just work. I hate having to pull the driver to replace the darn gear. I have the proper puller to do the job though. But I did get it for a real good price, about a $100 less than they usualy cost. Cheers Mike.

[Anonymous]

Ok I found what probably caused the gear to strip out, the valve rocker on the fireman's side was jamming once and awhile, this caused the gear to strip out its splines where it fits to the axle shaft, My set screw idea didn't work, not able to make it tight enough to hold. So I went ahead and pulled the geared driver and ordered the gear, and a spare, via Lionel's online parts dept. I hope it comes next week. They are usualy fast, got the last part that I ordered directly from them within 3 business days. Cheers Mike

[Anonymous]

That B6 is a nice engine,I need to find one.
I've got the 040 version and have put command in it, The B6 would be a nice addition

[Anonymous]

It is a very nice engine, there is one that just got listed on ebay, priced about right too. I am just waiting on the new axle gear from Lionel now. Cheers Mike

[Anonymous]

I had a number 18000 Lionel B6. I bought it to replace my old B6 my folks sold off in 1954. I hoped I would love it like I did my old one....but I didn't. I missed the old constantly bonging bell in the tender, the E unit buzz, even the irregular erformance of the horizontally operating E unit. I addition the new version had a huge electrical connector between the engine and tender and, worst of all it wobbled as it ran. Lionel refused to repair it because they said that because it was imported they had no parts, I must have abused it and it was out of warrantee. I traded it in towards a Lionel 0-8-0. Odd-d

[Anonymous]

The wobble was probably a bent flange or driver, real 0-6-0's tend to waddle as they go down the track as well. I plan to ditch the electronices and put a horizontal e-unit in as soon as I can. I could care less if it has the sound system, its an early version of railsounds anyway. I think all lionels should have the old e-units, its not the same without one. I wish I could afford a original prewar Lionel 0-6-0, but they usualy fetch over $900 on ebay or more if a dealer has one. I wonder if you could make up the bell ringing setup for the newer tender? If you even decide you want a newer 0-6-0 and want to backdate the drivetrain, let me know, I can help you out. Cheers Mike