My problem is with a Lionel 0-6-0 Switcher #6-28650. The loco runs well forward. In reverse, the drivers partially bind on each revolution. Here's what's happening:
First off, if it's not out of warranty I'd return it and let Lionel deal with it.
If it is out of warranty I'd say there's probably a gearing problem between the motor and the drivers, either a cracked or improperly installed gear on the motor or in the drive train.
One other thing, and I had this happen on a Magne-Traction engine I've got, is one of the drivers picked uo a loose screw on the layout and wedged it between the driver and the frame. Your engine isn't supposed to have Magne-Traction but it's worth checking your drivers for foreign objects just the same. That screw problem caused symptoms very similar to yours.
I have no idea how to get the motor assembly out of your model so I can't advise you there. Sorry.
Thanks Flintlock. I hadn't though of a cracked gear, but now that you mention it, that seems very likely. The loco is way out of warranty, so I on my
own for repair. I may try to do it myself if I can firgure out how to remove the motor. If not, I'll try one of our local Lionel dealers. There are several here.
If you've got a local Lionel dealer who you think can help you take it there first.
I've found if you really, really look at an engine closely you can figure out how to get it apart, that is screw locations and such. It's always been my philosophy that "It went together, it's got to come apart somehow!" But I'd try the dealer before you go the "do it yourself" route. Of course if the repair cost is more than you care to spend then have at it yourself. It'll be a learning experience if nothing else.
I took the loco to a dealer, and it was returned because the repair person didn't have the parts. Also, they didn't tell me which part was needed. That was frustrating. So, I got my gumption up and figured out how to remove the body and motor, and looked for a cracked gear. To my suyrprise, both the worm gear and the main drive gear are metal, and I couldn't see any evidence of cracking. I then used a screwdriver to rotate the paired gears in both directions. In forward, everything works fine. In reverse, however, on each revolution the gears bind up and cause the bearing on the first driver set to lift out of the frame slightly, then slip back in place. Since nothing appears to be "broken", I'm thinking that one of the sets of drivers isn't properly quartered. If you have any thoughts on this, I'd appreciate your views. Thanks
mediaprof I'm thinking that one of the sets of drivers isn't properly quartered.
Man, anything's possible. Since I obviously can't look over your shoulder your guess is as good as mine. Possibly one of the axle bearings is oversized or has burrs in it which don't affect it moving forward but do affect it in reverse. Or the axle may have burrs. Or something.
That bearing rising up in reverse could be a good clue. Try anchoring it in place in some manner and see if that cures the problem. I'd be reluctant to do a total tear-down, getting the drivers off is easy, all you need is a punch that matches the axle diameter but getting them back on without the proper tools is problematic. You may just have to live with it as is.
Good luck!
By the way, I've got a 1980's Lionel small Hudson that runs forward OK but balks at going in reverse with several cars in the consist. With no load it's fine. I've looked "under the hood" and can't find anything obviously wrong. Since I bought it used anyway I'm not bothered by it since I rarely back a train up.
Take the driver rod off of one side and see if that solves the problem. If it does, the locomotive is not properly quartered.
That behavior does sound a lot like something to do with the linkage is causing the issue. I'd say check for anything being bent or deformed somehow, if nothing is obviously out of quarter. It is possible to cause issues if all the wheels are geared, but when being installed, they aren't all installed right- if one is 'out of synch', that can cause a binding issue during part of the revolution of the wheels. This is all general ideas, not anything specific to your model. Hope you can have some luck with locating the source of that binding.-Ellie
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
Thanks one and all for the replies.
Thanks for this tip. I'll try it out.
This problem is resolved at last. The cause was a broken drive gear for the smoke unit. Parts are no longer available, so the easy answer is to remove the gear. The unit also serves a the support for the smokebox, so the disabled unit (minus the drive gear and shaft) has to be reinstalled. That's fine with me, as I never liked the smoke effect. Now the loco runs like new.
P.S. - Last fall, I went so far as to take this unit to a "local" hobby shop (25 miles), and have it sent out to for repair. The loco came back as "unrepairable" because there are no parts available from Lionel. The lesson for me - don't just accept the first answer and give up.
Well done!
Good to hear back from you too!
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