What was the final outcome? Did anyone successfully procure and install replacement gears? Did you need to do both trucks? Did you purchase the gears from NWSL? Were they part numbers 2469-6 and 2468-6? How did you finally get the truck cover plate off, axle removed, and new gear installed? I'm seriously considering buying one of these engines but cracked drive gears with no reasonable solution could be a show-stopper. Thank you.
Dave
[quote user="Don Z"]
I recently picked up a Lionel HO scale Turbine at a great price. I tested it before purchasing the locomotive and didn't notice anything amiss. Three days later, I pulled it from the box to show it to a friend and while moving forward down the track, it makes a thump thump noise. The thump is so hard I can feel it in the benchwork. In reverse, no problem at all.
Select forward on the controller and the locomotive doesn't move. Sounds still work, lights still work, but no movement. Select reverse and it will back up. If I tip the loco off of the rail to kill power to the loco, then set it back on the track, it will move forward. Once it stops, it will no longer move forward. Reverse works fine.
I have done a reset of the decoder to no avail. I have the QSI upgrade chip on order from Tony's and I'm waiting for it to arrive before I crack the shell open. Does anyone have any ideas for what I should look for regarding the thump in the drivetrain? Why does it thump in forward but not reverse?
Thanks,
Don Z.
Mine just developed the very same problem after installing a new decoder which had nothing to do with the trucks. Removing the 2 screws from truck bottom only releases the cover but it appears I will have to feed the pickup wires down thru as they are holding the cover from coming off. Even so I am not sure if you can get the axels out.
Don
Did you ever get your Lionel HO Veranda repaired?
I've got the same problem, and although I tried to take the bottom cover off the truck, it won't pull off. I don't want to pry the cover off by force so if you have any experience of dis-assembly it would be much appreciated.
I've spoken to NSWL who have replacement gears, but I just need to get access to the damaged one first.
regards
Barry (United Kingdom)
On the early Proto 2000 locomotives the thumping sound was from cracked drive gears in the trucks.
Whether or not Lionel had this problem I have no idea, but it might be worth checking out. Turn the model upside down onto a piece of soft sponge foam or a thick towel and see if some of the wheels can be spun by hand. If wheels spin rather freely without much resistance, the drive gear in the center of the axle is cracked and will need to be replaced.
Finding replacement gears will be your biggest problem if they are not the same as the P2K and Athearn gears. On the P2K models, Athearn gears, part number 60024, were an exact replacement.
If you have a well stocked local hobby shop they may have a package of these gears in stock that you can try and see if they are the same.
Now you know why it was such a great price. The seller probably knew there were problems with it.
Research; it's not just for geeks.