LIONEL LOCOMOTIVES

[Algonquin]

Hi Randel,

I am not familiar with HO or N scale, so others may be able to provide better information here.

I run mostly "O" gauge. Generally, I notice that the problem associated with a locomotive operating better in one direction over the other is due either insufficient lubrication at the bearings being loaded in problem direction or excessive "slop" in the gears. Excessive slop in gears is usually caused by one of the bearing surfaced being worn or insufficeiently supported such that the gears are allowed to move out of alingment when they are loaded in a particular direction. This usually requires component replacement or shimming to restore operation.

Regards,

Tim P.

[Anonymous]

Hi,Tim;Thanks for the information.I have another question for you.On ho-scale and n-scale,what would make a locomotive run fasten in reverse and run slow in forward.Thank You very much.Your Railroad Friend Randel L. B.

[Algonquin]

Hi Randel,

Brushless and coreless are types of small DC can motors. I am not aware of the benefits of one over the other.

Lionel traditionally used an open framed "universal" motor utill the 70's when they began to occasionally use DC can motors. The universal motor is made up of an amature shaft with windings that rotates inside a stationary field forming an open frame. Carbon brushes are used to provide the electrical connections from the power supply to the segments of the armature windings. These universal motors can be operated directly with either AC or DC power. These motors also require periodic maintenance. The carbon brushes on the universal motor require periodic replacement as they ware down over time. The motor also requires periodic lubrication of the armature shaft bearing points. This maintenance is relatively easy to perform and is one of the things most Lionel post-war operators like because it allows them to tinker.

Can motors on the other hand will operate only with DC power. They are used in AC powered locomotives with the addition of a rectifier that converts the AC power signal to DC before it is delivered to the motor. Can motors are lubricated at the factory and sealed in a "Can" and therefore cannot be maintained.

Replacement parts for universal motors are readily available for just about all vintages of Lionel trains. When a can motor fails, the whole motor must be replaced. To date, I have only destroyed one can motor (on a ten year old Lionel) and I was easily able to get a replacement motor installed by Lionel.

I have both can and universal motors in my trains. Both are very reliable. I think the can type tend to be a little quieter in operation than an open frame design creating less interference with the locomotive sound systems. But the open frame are fun to maintain and they can generate ozone creating that wounderful smell I remember as a child.

I hope this helps.

Tim P.

[Anonymous]

Hi,Tim;I do not have any information at this time.My friend was not at our last month meeting.I am a member of the Lubbock Model Railroad Association.I have a question for you.What is the difference between these locomotive motors?Here is the list of motors;brushless,coreless,open frame and cam.Thank You very much. Your Railroad Friend Randel L. B.

[Anonymous]

Hi Tim,

You might be thinking more modern, however my old 2343's instruction sheet states that DC operation is acceptable, however the horn relay will alway be tripped, thus all or none for the horn. I have never bothered since that takes all the fun out of my layout...

This makes sense as the motors will do AC/DC and the E unit solenoid will (usually) work but the horn relay picks up a DC offset on the normal AC power. Or you could switch out the E unit and just control direction by connection (DC+ to center, DC- to outer rails for forward and vice versa).

For Randal -- I built an enormous supply (800 Watts) and my postwar Lionel runs well between 6-16 Volts AC... I get nervous when the switch engine approaches warp afer I uncouple during flying switches. Beware!

Does anyone else cheat and buy their clear bulbs for postwar units at the local farm store? My local store has 1445 &57's for next to nothing...

Mike

[Algonquin]

Hi Randel,

I will be watching for the information.

Regards,

Tim P.

[Anonymous]

Hi,I did go to lionel.com and did get a response.If you know any body that needs any information on lionel trains.That e-mail address that you gave me sure was a big help.There is some information that i am going to get more detail on my friend,s lionel locomotive,before i can get back with you.Thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

Hi,Tim;At the present,I do not have the information that you need ,in order to reply to my tropic.My friend is out of town at the present.As soon as i get the information,I will get in touch with you.Thank You.You Railroad Friend R.L.B.

[Algonquin]

Hi Ron,

I can probably provide you with lots of details about your train. I need to now a little more about the pieces in the set. Can you discribe each piece, type of car, color and number. The more detail you can provide will help me identify the specific set you have.

Tim P.

[Algonquin]

Hi Randal,

Most Lionel locomovives and accessories over the last 100 years have been powered by AC. However, in th 70-80s time frame Lionel, in an atempt to reduce the costs of manufacturing, began to incorporate DC motors powered by DC into their locomotives. All accessories remained powered by AC. Most likely what you has is a set that the engine is powered by DC and the accesories by AC.

Some DC motors can be damaged by AC power, and Lionel began putting lables on the locomotives stating that.

If you can provide my with a more detailed description of the set (i. e., description and numbers on the cars and transformer I can verify this and provide more details on the set.

Tim P.

[Anonymous]

HI : YOU MIGHT TRY LIONEL.COM,O GUAGE MAGAZINE AT YOUR LOCAL TRAIN OR HOBBY STORE.

[Anonymous]

I am new to this site, but I have a 1932 Lionel Train set with a working draw bridge. I would like to get some infromation about it. Can anyone out there help me. e-mail me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I have a friend that has a lionel locomotive.But he does not have a computer.S o, he ask me to try to get some information on lionel locomotives.He has a lionel locomotive that is ac power and dc power.The question is which power to hook up to run this locomotive.Also why is this locomotive have two power sources.Thank You. Your railroad friend R.L.B.