It is running fine Fife. I am looking to get one of those magnifying lights for working on this stuff. There were a lot of places it would of helped to see what I was doing inside that Loco.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Howzit runnin'?
Fife,
The parts to finish the repairs on the Rio Grand General came today. It is fixed but let me say this, I never want to go in there again.
Finally got into Lionel's site and ordered the parts. I will let you know how it goes when I get them.
Hey, was wondering how you were making out with this project. The pony truck does tend to rattle a bit. Perhaps if you play with some plastic washers, it might silence the noise.
fifedog I was thinking on adding some sticky weights inside the front of the cab roof, and some washers inside the smokestack as counter-weight. Anything to center more downforce on the driving wheels. Since you have it apart, be sure to add a little hobby grease to the worm gear.
I was thinking on adding some sticky weights inside the front of the cab roof, and some washers inside the smokestack as counter-weight. Anything to center more downforce on the driving wheels. Since you have it apart, be sure to add a little hobby grease to the worm gear.
I got around to working on the General this week. Boy oh Boy what a PITA working on it. There is like 10# of stuff for sure in a 3# bag. No room for what it has let alone any extra weight. I replaced the circuit board e-unit. Also replaced the broken sand dome and bell mount that had the hand rail holders broken. I have tested it and run it without the front truck because I am still waiting for Lionel to start selling parts so I can get the smoke element. So far so good, but a challenge to work on for sure.
You're welcome KRM! I forgot to add an example of how tough those MTH 4-4-0's are. I had two on a shelf that collapsed, my fault, I didn't hang the shelf as well as I thought I did, and they dropped six feet to the floor. I came home and found out a disaster took place while I was out!
Long story short, the locomotives survived without any damage or ill effects. I'm a VERY satisfied MTH customer.
In all honesty I haven't had any problems with the Lionel items I purchased recently, a New Jersey Transit set and a Strasburg Railroad set. They run very well. I did buy a Lionel NYC Pacific that's got a flaky sound system but I bought that one used at a train show, so who knows where it's been and what the previous owner did with it? Caveat emptor as they say.
Check the "I sold my 2-10-10-2" topic on (now) page two. You might find it interesting.
Also, check "Sunday Photo Fun" for June 1st. Looks like Spankybird's got two MTH 4-4-0's, the UP 119 and the B&O, same as meself.
KRMFirelock76 Thanks for the tips on the MTH 4-4-0's I will be looking for them in my travels. No luck on the smoke element anyplace so. Guess I just have to wait for Lionel to move their parts operation. I can't believe Lionel did not do a transition plan to keep parts flowing during their move. They are simple. I have been in on many warehouse transitions when I was working with Cat logistics we never missed a shipment. Shows a big lack of concern for customer service on Lionel's part. JMHO..
KRM asked about MTH 4-4-0's. I've got four of them, the "General Haupt", the "Texas", the UP 119, and a nameless B&O. All run very well. The "Texas" has the old QS1 sound system which sounds a bit strange, but it's a good runner just the same. Good smokers too The only problem I've had is deteriorating traction tires. I cut 'em off and it doesn't seem to affect pulling ability at all. I've had to replace the nine volt batteries in the tender as well.
Why four? They were on sale! Seriously, I bought three for $150 each. The "Texas" I paid $90 for at a flea market.
If I ever see any of Lionels "Lone Ranger" cars around as a set break-up I'll put together my own "Lone Ranger" train with the UP 119.
KRMRob, By chance would know the specs for the 16 ohm resistor used for the smoke element.
No. A 16 ohm of the same physical size would be close enough to satisfy all of the criteria.
Rob
fifedogADCX Rob - So in your experience, 'tis best not to leave the newer Generals powered up in neutral...? This would help reduce the risk of failure...?
There is no power to the smoke unit in neutral on the newer starter sets. Idle away in neutral all you want.
ADCX Rob - So in your experience, 'tis best not to leave the newer Generals powered up in neutral...? This would help reduce the risk of failure...?
Hobbyists in other scales have re-motored small engines by placing a better can motor within the tender, and guttin' the inside of the loco itself. I was pondering buying a cheap modern General and creating a "Franken-tender".
Take the grandkids over to Dearborn, MI to check out Detroit & Lima #7. Also Leviathan #63 will be at the Galesburg Railroad Days 6/28. Trust me, once you see it in person you'll really fall in love with 4-4-0 engines.
Kev - While you are "under the hood", look for places to add extra weight as well. I love the new Generals (the PRR and MofH are gorgeous), we all just need to pull ideas on how to make them better performers. They "rattle" too much, and I've learned that adding some hobby grease at the pivot points of the pony truck helps reduce this, some.
Once you've turned this kicking mule into a thorough-bread, perhaps you could prepare an article...
The reverse unit board is available from the Train Tender and Brasseurs, and probably other online parts dealers. It is a very common board.
Larry
Ran into a problem with one of my new Generals a couple weeks back. It was rolling along, stopped unexpectedly, then started smoking, but not from the smokestack. This was an acrid smelling smoke, coming from the tender. There is a magnet spooled through one of the axles, and something shorted around it. I moved the thin wire harness to the opposite side of the truck assembly, and hadn't experienced the problem again.
You can run the engine without the tender, and see if it still runs erratic; might show you where to zero in on the problem.
The 610-0107-100 e-unit board is the replacement board sold.
Kev -- I think it's an industry wide problem. I have spent quite a bit of money in the last 18 months on repair and replacement parts on my trains and 99.9% are MTH. I guess what's frustrating is that I take very good care of my trains and NEVER abuse them, my problem is that when I spend good money on a product I expect it to last and work well, silly me. I do like all the bells/whistles and remote options on my MTH products but it does tick me off.
I spent some time a few weeks ago with one of my older brothers's good buddies and he has a very nice HO and N set up I enjoyed. He sure cussed the N scale but I did like it, I also like the HO scale but I'll never change now. If I could go back 17 years when I got serious about this hobby I would go strictly G scale, love the tinplate look.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
The smoke unit is wired through the reverse unit so it won't overheat in neutral. This is hard on the reverse unit components, especially when the smoke unit resistor drops in impedance as it approaches failure. Now you need both parts.
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