497 Coaling station

[71835]

Just added the 245 coaling station back on the layout. It spent the last couple years in its original box waiting for me to get far enough along with reworking the layout to be able to put it back to work. I am now ready for it to work, but it isn't. It makes the sound like it was lifting the coal tray up to empty it into the bin, but there is no movement. I took it off the layout to try bench testing, and after I gave a little help by twisting the rods with the spools on them, it went up fine. I thought "YEAH!" then I tried to lower the tray and I just got motor sound and no movement. When I gave the spool rod some help as before, It moved but with a high pitched whine, like dry (unlubricated)gears. It would not lower by itself. This is a reissue, so it is not like the postwar version. Any suggestions on how to fix? or is it something the guys at the service station will have to fix for me? Any ideas would be very welcome. Thanks Greg C.

[TrainLarry]

Take both motor and gearbox assemblies apart, clean out all the old lubricant with naphtha, relubricate with a good quality grease, and reassemble.

Larry

[BigAl 956]

I have the 1990s reissue with the Grey roof. If that's yours here is what I know. Take off the roof and look at the motor and cams that connect to the strings that pull the bin up. If the cams are spinning the bin should go down. It lowers by gravity so if the wheels are spinning and the string is letting out the bin should go down. If not its binding and it's a matter of figuring out what it's binding on.